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 I AM PARTICIPATING IN A BBC DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE MARATHON WHICH IS BEING SHOWN ON 2 MARCH 2006 AT 7.30 PM.  IT IS CALLED "RUN FOR GLORY". 

I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO KNOW MY STORY:

I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Grade III breast cancer with lymph node involvement and I thought that my life was over.  I could not function, it was such a shock to be told "you have CANCER".  I have two small children and I was worried if I died who would be their "Mummy". 

I underwent a mastectomy with axillary node dissection followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, breast reconstruction, breast reduction on my other side and had a nipple reconstruction my new boob.

My family were very supportive but I felt very alone with sleepless nights and I wanted to wake up from the bad dream and for everything to be okay.  My sister telephoned the Bob Champion Cancer Trust office and asked if Bob could call me to say "you can get through this"...  

I was sat a home looking at the television but not absorbing the programme when the telephone rang and this voice said "can I speak to Julia", I said yes thats me and the voice said "Hi Its Bob Champion", I  broke down in floods of tears as I could not believe that he had made the effort to call me as he did not know me from a bar of soap.  He did this off of his own back with no gain or publicity.  The call meant so much to me as I can remember the day he won the National on the brave Aldaniti and he has always been a hero of mine. 

He was fantastic on the phone and he made me realise that life is for living and I had so much going for me and not to let the cancer beat me. I even managed to ride my horse "Readimix" after my chemo sessions. That one phone call changed my life and I am still here to tell the tale 3 years later.  Thank you BOB.  We still keep in touch and any donation you make will make a difference to a lot of people. 

You may ask why is a woman who had breast cancer raising money for testicular cancer - 2 reasons - firstly the support I received was absolutely fantastic and secondly my dearest cousin, who is like a brother,  MARK JEWELL had testicular cancer and was treated at the Royal Marsden.  Also I feel that CANCER is CANCER no matter where it is and we all are trying to beat and treat this terrible disease.

I will be at Lingfield Race Course on Saturday 14 January 2006 collecting donations so if you are there please come and see me and say "hello".  I will be with my sister Jane and my best friend Ashley, Jack my son, Charlotte my daughter and of course not forgetting BOB..

We had a fabulous day at Lingfield despite the weather and the "punters" were absolutely brilliant and we raised £577.80.  Thank you to everyone concerned. 

I have never ran in my life so this is a real challenge for me and I am finding the training hard at times but I just have to remind myself why I am doing it. We are very lucky to have two fantastic trainers in the form of SALLY GUNNELL and STEVE CRAM.

We are off to Hong Kong and Melbourne as part of the BBC programme which is very exciting so I will update my page on my return.  I had a fab time in Hong Kong and Australia, the training was very hard physically and mentally.

I ran 18 miles on Sunday 2 April and thanks to Gerry, my wonderful trainer, that I completed this.

I would like to say a special thank you to the following people:

Mr & Mrs Embiricos for their donation.  They owned the wonderful talented Aldiniti.

My sister, Jane who has been trudging round the pubs in West London bucket shaking.

Thirdly to Heidi at Vodaphone whose sister is undergoing chemo at present - don't give up Erica - go girl go - you can beat it.  I am going to give Erica my first half marathon medal, which I got last weekend at Reading.  I completed the 13.1miles in 2hours 30 mins. 

It is less than a week to the FLM, I am fit and focused but I have butterflies bigger than bats in my stomach.  However, I have an even greater incentive to run well on the day.  My beloved MARK has got a few challenging days ahead, becuase the doctors have found a hot spot.  It is currently being investigated by the Team at the Royal Marsden and we are hopeful for a positive outcome.  On Friday 21 April when Mark visits the Royal Marsden he will be accompanied by the two old battleaxes, Jane and myself, we will be there to give him support and encouragement. 

MARKIE - GO BOY GO - YOUR FAMILY will do whatever it takes.  We have done it before, so we can do it again but better. 

Keep up the good work SIMON and ANDREW. XXX 

BOB CHAMPION WON THE GRAND NATIONAL 25 YEARS AGO AND IS STILL HERE TO TELL THE TALE, HE BEAT THE DISEASE AND SO CAN I.