Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Craig Lindsay, and last year at the age of 19 I was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. It was an extremely surreal, confusing, scary and even anger filled moment of my life. A lot of questions whizzed round my head, 'why me?', 'how could this happen?', 'what's going to happen to me?'. All these scared, worried and angry thoughts were soon set to rest, with much gratitude by the staff at City Hospital's Cancer Centre along with my oncology team. They sat with me and explained all, and described to me of what to expect, in a friendly approach to help ease me into my journey which was ahead of me. 

One person I am extremely thankful for is my Clinical Specialist Nurse for Teenagers and Young Adults from Friends of the Cancer Centre, Renée. She came to see me everyday I was in hospital for treatment to see how I was, to help with any treatment, have a laugh with the younger patients and most importantly, to lend an ear for those who want to talk both at hospital in person or at home via call or text.  This kind of relationship with young patients is vital in my eyes. Although I was very young at the age of 19, I was mature enough to understand the situation and accept the circumstances. However for a young child, I cannot imagine how much more scary the ordeal would be for both the child and the parents. Renée not only is interested about our wellbeing but our lives outside of the disease, our ambitions, our friends and hobbies. She was a constant reminder that the disease does not dictate our lives, it is only simply a very inconvenient obstacle but our life's ambitions and goals can still be achieved. This gave me great inspiration and motivation to get over my cancer, and remind myself that I am in control of my life, not the cancer. 

Furthermore, not only was she a person for my benefit, but for my family as well. My mother often went to her with concerns she had with myself and Renée helped ease my mums worries and stress with sound advice, comforting words and even enquired for a spa like facility for her to attend. She was and still is much more than a fantastic nurse to me, she is a friend and above all a great person in general. 

This is why I am taking part in the Belfast City Marathon this year, to raise money along side my siblings and friends for Friends of the Cancer Centre. This kind of treatment outside of the norm of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is imperative to reaching remission in my eyes, which thankfully I am currently 9 months strong. So I graciously ask all to help by donating anything you deem to be fit, be it pennies or pounds it all counts. 

There is a quote by Michael Douglas, a fellow cancer survivor which I feel to relate to greatly. "Cancer didn't bring me to knees, it brought me to my feet"

Thank you very much for your time, consideration and hopefully your donation. 

Craig Lindsay, 20, Proud cancer survivor. 

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