Leo Nelson
Coast-to-Coast 85 Mile Trek
Fundraising for Sarcoma UK
Story
On 3rd
June this year I embarked on a coast-to-coast trek beginning in
Wallsend, Tyneside along the Hadrian's Wall trail ending in
Barrow-on-Solway, Cumbria. I wasn't alone on this adventure, with
four mates Antonio, Chris, Stu & Shaun – each with their own
personal reasons for doing this – we walked for more than 8 hours
per day, through farmland and too many craggy upland outcrops
(admittedly the views were pretty good up there) covering the 85 mile
trail in just four days, averaging more than 20 miles per day.
Why did I do this? Well, my wonderful Mum, Amanda Nelson – who loved walking - lost a fight with an incredibly aggressive form of cancer, sarcoma on 18th Nov, 2008. And I felt that combining this adventure with fund-raising for The Sarcoma Trust would help a worthwhile cause. Sarcomas are rare, accounting for about 1% of of all cancer diagnoses, or 3200 cases altogether in the UK each year. As in my Mum's case, they are often initially misdiagnosed for a condition which seems unconnected with cancer preventing the vital early-stage specialist treatment required. This confusion can only be resolved through specific research projects for which The Sarcoma Trust raises funding for.
There were moments during our trek, with several miles to go, where we were so exhausted, blistered and sore continuing didn't seem like an option. It became a mental challenge, spurred on only by each other and with the thoughts of our reasons for doing this, we did! What's a blister and a sore leg in the context of relentless and debilitating bouts of chemotherapy, or even limb amputation?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you would like to show support for The Sarcoma Trust by making a donation it would be hugely appreciated.
Why did I do this? Well, my wonderful Mum, Amanda Nelson – who loved walking - lost a fight with an incredibly aggressive form of cancer, sarcoma on 18th Nov, 2008. And I felt that combining this adventure with fund-raising for The Sarcoma Trust would help a worthwhile cause. Sarcomas are rare, accounting for about 1% of of all cancer diagnoses, or 3200 cases altogether in the UK each year. As in my Mum's case, they are often initially misdiagnosed for a condition which seems unconnected with cancer preventing the vital early-stage specialist treatment required. This confusion can only be resolved through specific research projects for which The Sarcoma Trust raises funding for.
There were moments during our trek, with several miles to go, where we were so exhausted, blistered and sore continuing didn't seem like an option. It became a mental challenge, spurred on only by each other and with the thoughts of our reasons for doing this, we did! What's a blister and a sore leg in the context of relentless and debilitating bouts of chemotherapy, or even limb amputation?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you would like to show support for The Sarcoma Trust by making a donation it would be hugely appreciated.