Hello.  As you know, James is Harold and mine eldest son, older brother to Michael and partner to Susan. At the beginning of September he noticed a lump in his neck and three weeks later we had the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. 

He has been incredibly focussed and strong in dealing with the challenges and changes to the year ahead, which is the way he deals with everything in his life, including climbing Kilimanjaro and swimming the Thames, both as fundraising events. Always embracing all that life has to offer, in true James fashion he is pictured setting off on his first gliding lesson and in training for his participation in the Round The World Clipper Race which he will undertake.

James started chemotherapy 8th October, 4 rounds of 2 sessions each over 6 months and there is a good cure rate with this treatment - 70-90%.  Going forward he will rely on the support and strength of friends and family who have already been incredible with their love and motivational words of encouragement. 

I feel very strongly that there has to be some ongoing positive response to this, the feeling that we are all doing something to help to make a difference.

So, I have place on the London Marathon with Elizabeth who has been part of our family since forever, to the support the research undertaken by Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research: www.leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk   Using their centres of excellence they hope to improve patient diagnosis, develop new treatments and personalise treatments for all blood cancer patients. For this life-saving work to continue, they need to raise over £20 million every year. 

I will be walking (not running due to my disability and no laughing due to the walker!!) with my dear friend Elizabeth Shrager whose husband Robert, our much loved and respected friend, died of myeloma 6 years ago. Friends and family - if you would like to walk along at any part of the journey with us, we will be at the back!

So, please say YES and sponsor us in this madness to raise as much money as we can towards research into blood cancers.  The advances made in the past few years alone are extraordinary and with your support this vital work can continue and help the lives of those affected, increasing the cure rate and making such a difference to people’s lives and most importantly, a difference to James.

Thank you from all of us: The Berwins: Louise, Harold, James and Susan, and Michael, and the Shragers: Elizabeth, James and Polly, Eddy and Carolina.

Please remember to tick the Gift Aid box – it means nearly 30% more goes to the charity and not the taxman. 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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.