Firstly, I would like to thank you very much for visiting this page and considering to donate to help me raise funds for my aunt Flora.

In the Philippines, family means everything. We take care of family and help them in whatever way we can. This is my way of showing my love and support for my aunt Flora.

Born out of a family of 10 from a humble home, Flora Cuevas Dela Cruz, is the 5th child of the family. When everyone left the house and started their own family, she was the only one left to take care of my grandma as it is not in the Philippine culture to send the elderly to nursing homes. She dedicated most of her life in doing so. She married very late. and because of this she wasn't able to experience being a mother which she always truly wanted. Although, all her life she has treated all her nieces and nephews , including me, like her own children.

On 1 April 2019, I received a horrible news that my aunt's biopsy results came positive. She has been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma (stage 3), a form of breast cancer. I could not believe it. I was very shocked and couldn't help but break down and cry. My mother was the one who first got the results and I could just imagine how worst she feels; the worry, the stress and the fact she can't fly back to the Philippines and be with her sister yet, to take care of her. My mother is the only family member who can help sustain her family financially and so I am also doing this for her.

The fear of the possibility of losing someone to an incurable disease is the most horrible feeling in the world! No one should go through such circumstances. I have lost my grandmother to leukemia in 2012 and I don't want to lose another to cancer. My aunt deserves to live life to the fullest like everybody else.

Due to ongoing research on how to cure cancer, the chemotheraphy, surgery and other medication bills are very expensive. I was informed that per one session of chemotheraphy it costs around ₱35,000. So to contribute to her hospitalisation, I have set a target of £1,000 which translates to around ₱68,000. This is worth around 2 sessions of chemotheraphy.

And so, on 1 April 2019, that very same day I saw her positive test results, I decided to show my full love and support for my aunt (even though she is 7000 miles away) by joining the 9 mile walk hosted by Belfast city council. This walk is to spread awareness that people are still dying out there due to cancer and we have to do what ever we can to show support and care.

This walk would be my very first marathon or should I say "walkathon". I have to admit I am not the fittest girl in the world, I cannot run for my life. But I know one thing for certain, I can walk. Before moving to my current place in Dublin, where I used to live only 25 mins away by bus, I disciplined myself in walking at least 4 times a week, 80 minutes worth of walk to and from work. There is something about walking that relaxes me and eases my mind from all the stress from work and studies.

Preparation:

To prepare myself for this walkathon, I have set myself a target to walk 20 miles per week, with an average of 3 miles per weekday and around 5 miles on weekends. This include walks during work lunch breaks and walks after work as my current residence could no longer allow me to do the above routine. However, my previous routine has contributed in this preparation.

Event: 9 mile walk

Date: Sunday 5 May 2019

Time: 9:00am

Route location: Stormont - Ormeau Park

To know more, visit: www.belfastcitymarathon.com/9-mile-walk

On the day of the walk, my supportive boyfriend Douglas will also join me and hopefully finish the race within 2 hours and 30 minutes. Any amount of donations is very much welcomed and appreciated.

In addition to this walk, I will be having my 2 year worth of long hair cut off and I will donate it to charity who specialise in making wigs for children affected by cancer. This is to also show my support to everyone affected by cancer.

Thank you so much for your donations and prayers. God bless you! :)