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Hello friends, thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.  I'm running the Bath half marathon, my first race ever, on my 30th birthday, to raise money for Myeloma UK.  Myeloma is a type of cancer which my lovely Mum has.  This is an epic challenge for lazy old me.  I’d love it if you sponsored me.   Some of you know that in March 2011 my darling Mum, Jane Ody, was diagnosed with Myeloma, a rare type of cancer arising from plasma cells which are found in the bone marrow.  There are only 4,000 cases each year.  Myeloma is not currently curable but it can be controlled and slowed down with drugs. It was devastating news.  I was abroad at the time at the beginning of a very long trip, but I decided immediately to return to Oxford to be here for Mum’s treatment.  It turned all our lives upside-down.  A few days later Mum started an arduous course of chemotherapy, a complicated concoction of drugs with lots of side effects.  She continued to work throughout her treatment, never showing her pain and never complaining.  Not long after coming home I went out for my first jog to clear my head.  I’m pretty lazy.  I could barely run half a mile. I’m very happy to report that Mum is doing brilliantly.  She has regular cancer treatment and brittle bones but is full of positivity, even when she's obviously feeling ill.  Over the last year I have continued to run a bit and in a moment of madness I signed up to run 13.1 miles (21km) in the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds for Myeloma UK, the only UK charity which deals exclusively with Myeloma. Myeloma UK relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising activities.  They fund research into the cure, cause, prevention, improved and safer treatments and a greater understanding of Myeloma.  They also give information and support to patients, families, friends and medical professionals. <a href="http://www.myeloma.org.uk/">http://www.myeloma.org.uk</a>  Here’s the funny part… when I signed up to take part in the ‘Bath Half’, the date hadn’t been published.  It’s usually in April.  In 2012 however it will be on Sunday 11th March... ON MY 30th BIRTHDAY!   On hearing the date I sulked for a day, then decided it would be a good challenge, an eventful way to mark a big birthday, and most importantly I had pledged to raise money for Myeloma UK and I couldn’t back out now. As Mama Ody always says, it’s a good job we don’t know what’s around the corner. I’d be really touched and grateful if any of you could spare a few pennies to sponsor me. All my love, Helen   The business bit: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Hody's birthday Bath Half

Hody's birthday Bath Half

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