Thanks for taking the time to read this.

'Team Pauline' (7 of us) are in training for a 77 mile bike ride in June to raise funds for Cancer Research in Pauline's name and in addition for me personally, in memory of Sue, my big sister who lost the battle against pancreatic cancer in 2007. 

Pauline was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2011, and immediately started treatment to remove the bowel tumours before going on to chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, the disease was already ‘T4’ classified and had spread to other organs including the liver and peritoneum. Peritoneal cancer (secondary bowel cancer) is still quite rare and difficult to treat. 

Sadly, after some good progress last year on the chemotherapy and supporting treatments blitzing the tumours, Pauline was recently advised that the peritoneal cancer was still there and had not responded to the chemo cycle so a second course of chemotherapy is now underway. 

As the decision had originally been misdiagnosed as a food allergy, and subsequent standard bowel cancer checks had failed to identify it, we are all acutely aware of the importance of raising awareness, education and understanding of bowel cancer and its symptoms to ensure people are able to get treatment early enough.

Cancer is indiscriminate. All cancers are different and each individual responds differently to treatment.  Cancer Research does good work in raising awareness and researching for cures. For this reason Pauline is obviously delighted that a group of her friends have decided to do a 77 mile cycle ride on 17 June in aid of Cancer Research UK, particularly as she does not have to!

Pauline has remained cheerful and appreciative of all life has to offer during the last year and the thought of all of us in wet lycra cycling up hills keeping fit certainly helps!  

Every amount, however large or small, is a really valuable contribution to a great cause so please, please help as much as you can.  If you know anyone else that knows Pauline or has been affected by cancer and would welcome the opportunity to support Cancer Research UK, I'd be very grateful if you would forward this link to them.