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Britain V Cancer: The Jordan Desert Trek
19 – 26 April 2013

Britain V Cancer is a very special and unique event - it is the first Open Challenge of its kind whereby everyone taking part will be raising funds for the cancer charity or hospice of their choice.

The Jordan Desert Trek entails five days of trekking, starting at the Dead Sea and finishing in the red rock city of Petra. I will be in a group of over 120 people who will trek through mountain and desert terrain using ancient trails. We will sleep under the stars en route to the beautiful city of Petra.

Why Donate?

I have chosen to support the The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre; it is the only charity directly raising money for Clatterbridge cancer patients across the region.

http://www.yourclatterbridge.org.uk/aboutus/

The money raised will help to offer the most up to date treatment, support vital research, treat patients with world class equipment and provide life-changing support services that would otherwise be unavailable.

With 1 in 3 people being diagnosed with cancer at some point, there are so many of us who have benefited from the treatment provided by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, the leading cancer treatment centre for people in our area.

They are dedicated to providing outstanding cancer care to around 26,000 patients each year at their centre in Wirral, the satellite radiotherapy centre in Aintree and at a network of chemotherapy units in local hospitals across the region.

By donating we can make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families.

About me

I decided to take up this amazing challenge for 2 reasons:

Since July 2011 I have been working hard to live a healthier more active life I thought that this challenge would help me to stay focused on my new healthy lifestyle (and I am sure Bo our Japanese Akita will enjoying helping me out with all of my training!)

My second and most important reason for joining this challenge is that like many people I have been touched by cancer. My Dad was diagnosed with Prostate cancer about 8 years ago, before his 60th birthday. By the time he was diagnosed he already had secondary cancer of the bone. For the past 8 years Dad has been under the care of the Clatterbridge team receiving most of his treatment at Southport hospital and more recently at Queenscourt Hospice.

I have found that I am completely helpless in helping my Dad fight this illness, but raising money for The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre feels like a way in which I can contribute towards fighting this disease.

Please help me make a difference and donate what you can afford now.

Thank you, Vanessa x

Update

My Dad 10/05/1945 - 20/06/2012

Aged 67

On a sunny Wednesday morning on the 20th June 2012 my lovely Dad sadly lost his 8 year battle with cancer with my Mum and I at his side at home were he wanted to be.

All through his ordeal, he was always positive, always kind, and always had a smile for you. He would never ever talk about dying, he wanted to live. He loved life.

In the last 6-8 months of his life he endured suffering that no person ever should. He had become paralysed from the chest down and was in an incredible amount of pain.

My Mum became his full time carer providing him with the best care anyone ever could, fighting every step of the way to get the medication and equipment they needed to ensure Dad was comfortable and was able to stay at home.

We encountered people in the medical profession that were caring and considerate and really made a huge difference to Dads care and well being. We also encountered people that were careless, inconsiderate and made life more difficult.

If there is anything I have learnt from Dads illness it is that you never know what life is going to deal you, illness does not discriminate. My Dad worked hard every day of his life and loved and supported his family. He deserved to enjoy a long and happy retirement with my Mum, to travel, to learn, to make things in his beloved shed, to spend more time with his family.

Please help me and donate to this worthy cause, no family should have to go through what we have. By donating to the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity we will be helping to ensure that more people receive that important, positive and life changing support, while also funding the critical research into this disease. There is always a new drug or treatment being developed and the next one could just be the one you need . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

Vanessa Day

Vanessa Day

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