As many will know Liz lost her father, John Brown, aged 71, to pancreatic cancer on 24th April after a 2 month battle against this illness and has now lost her Step-Mother, Jan Dennison, aged 63, on 24th May after a 22 month fight against Brain Tumours.

Surprisingly little is known by the researchers of both cancers especially as to how to fight them and to give the patients a chance of survival. The specific charities for these two cancers are not widely supported and this restricts the investment into research. Both are cruel and terrible illnesses, whilst pancreatic cancer is known as the “silent killer”. By the time you know you have it, it is probably too late.

Liz is going to swim the Solent a distance of about 1.2 miles. It is not so much the distance that is the challenge (as if that were not enough for most people) but the fact that Liz is terrified of swimming in the sea. It’s all the dark bits and the unknowns down in the deep!

This will be a sponsored swim to raise money for three charities:

Pancreatic Cancer UK

The Brains Trust (IW)

Earl Mountbatten Hospice (IW)

The Brains Trust provided immense support to Jan and her family as well as knowledge and understanding. They facilitated so many things that enhanced her quality of life for as long as possible. The Hospice gave Jan respite, safety and dignity but sadly she was not able to return there for the end.

The care provided by the Earl Mountbatten Hospice for John was exemplary. No words can praise the staff and the facilities enough. It is not just the question of dignity to the terminally ill but normalising life in abnormal circumstances with care, humour, respect and giving, qualities that are too rare these days but illustrate that humanity is alive and well.

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