The unforgiving chill of winter came early in 2012. As September arrived and the London Paralympics closed, the world praised the strength of character that'd been on display. Meanwhile, less than 60 miles north of Stratford, an 80-year-old lady to whom I'd been teaching Braille for a year was showing an even greater kind of bravery. Without complaint, without anger, without searching for sympathy, she was running her final race and her challenger was lung cancer.

She'd survived the dangers of World War II. She'd worked for the whole of her adult life. She'd raised two sons with pride and dedication. She'd lost her husband, whose garden she still tended in his honour. She'd lost her sight but refused to give up her passion for life, her belief in goodness or her faith in the keeper of gates to a better place. Like the athletes in the capital she was an everyday person - one who enjoyed reading, playing bowles and making music - but she never received the plaudits she deserved for her selflessness and loving ways.

There are so many men and women like this - innocent victims living quiet and peaceful lives, bringing light and inspiration to those around them - who are held hostage by cancer at some time in their lives. An estimated 2.5 million people at any one time are treated for the condition in the UK and almost 1,000 new cases are identified in the country every day. And it's not only patients who face uncertainty and upheaval ... the fear of the unknown and the pain of this life-changing illness also impacts upon a patient's parents, siblings, partners, children, extended family, friends, colleagues, care-givers and many other members of their communities and social networks.

Fortunately, there are always wonderful people available to lend advice, support and a listening ear ... and they work for Macmillan. The amazing services that the charity provides rely on generosity from people like you ... without funding, vital care would be lost. Just £25 ensures that a Macmillan nurse can spend an hour with patients and their families, ensuring that they receive essential medical, practical and emotional support that prevents people feeling like they're facing cancer alone. £200 funds a Macmillan grant that helps a person with cancer to heat their home when they really need it most, reducing stress and making them feel more in control of their situation. £750 ensures the running of the Macmillan support service for an hour, enabling cancer specialists to respond to 27 telephone calls or emails from people needing their questions answered, practical or financial solutions to issues that they're facing or the chance to talk about their feelings and experiences.

As you can see, every donation makes a massive difference, however small it might seem. Thank you for adding your contribution ... the world would be a lonelier place for cancer patients, their loved ones and me without your support.