Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me, i have just completed my 1st 10k in about 1hour and 8 mins. Phoebe is gradually recovering after a very difficult month were she was very unwell, she is starting more chemo soon. You can follow her progress on her web page at www.phoebemacaskill.com. If you havent had a chance to sponsor me yet you can still do so, my web page will be active for another few months.

Once again thank you to everyone for their support i really do appreciate it.

Laura

In the 5th October 2008 I am taking part in the Loch Ness 10K and am raising money for The Phoebe MacAskill Appeal. Phoebe is 2 years old and lives in Lochend, Inverness . In April 2008 Phoebe was taken into Yorkhill Childrens Hospital, Glasgow where she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a rare and very aggressive childhood cancer.

Phoebe has had lots of treatment which includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and most recently she under went a 6 hour operation to remove the tumour. Phoebes treatment is ongoing and she is currently recieving intensive chemotherapy.

The likelihood of relapse in Neuroblastoma is high and there are only limited rescources for dealing with this type of cancer in the U.K.

Although Phoebe is recieving treatment in Galsgow Yorkhill at the moment, future privately funded treatment cannot be ruled out. Private treatment will be expensive and that is the reason we are raising money now.

To follow Phoebe's progress visit her website www.phoebemacaskill.com

Please sponsor me and help raise as much money as possible for Phoebe. Click the " Sponsor me now" link.

Any money raised not used by 'The Phoebe Macaskill Appeal' will be used to help other children with neuroblastoma supported by 'The 2Simple Trust'

Thank you so much

Laura McIlhatton

Neuroblastoma - the facts

Neuroblastoma is a complex tumour, which arises either in the sympathetic nervous system or closely associated adrenal glands and is usually, although not always located in the abdomen.

About 100 children in the UK are diagnosd each year and most of these are less than 4 years of age.

In Phoebe's case the tumour was above her left adrenal gland and has metastasised into her lymph nodes, bone marrow, pelvis and spine.

Children with advance - stage disease (stage 4) have a significantly decreased chance for cure despite intensive therapy.

As with most cancers the cause of Neuroblastoma is unknown.