Thank you for visiting my fund raising page.

 

In October 2010 I will be joining an all women group trekking along the Great Wall of China to raise funds for the Bowel Disease Research Foundation. Like me you have probably never heard of this charity before – it is the charity arm of the Association of Coloproctology of GB and Ireland and raises money for research into bowel cancer (cancer of the colon, rectal cancer, small bowel cancer) and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns and ulcerative colitis).

 

Did you know that bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer, and third for men after prostate and lung?

 

Approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year and as it presents late and the only effective treatment is surgery, half of these people will die.

 

Inflammatory bowel disease affects mainly young people – it is becoming more common, causes frequent episodes of severe illness, and requires repeated operations and often stomas. Life expectancy is significantly reduced. There is currently no cure.

 

I was asked by my old friend Asha Senapati, currently president of the association of coloproctology,to join this 5 day trek which will involve walking for 5-7 hours every day along the spectacular but difficult and rugged Great Wall of China. I am supporting this cause as my godfather died of small bowel cancer and professionally as a GP I have looked after people and their families who have these conditions.

 

I hope you will be able to support me but making a donation however small. Thank you so much.