Thank you for taking the time to visit our Fundraising page!

As some of you may already know, I was diagnosed in October 2009, with a rare form of Sarcoma called Paediatric Wild-type GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumour), which came as a huge shock to both myself and my family, especially as none of us had ever heard of GIST before!  GIST’s are a rare form of cancer which usually affect people in later life, so I guess you could say that I’m a bit “special!”

In November 2009, I underwent surgery at the John Radcliffe in Oxford to successfully remove a large tumour from my stomach, which I recovered really well from.  Unfortunately I also lost 2/3rds of my stomach, which although difficult to adjust to at first, I'm pleased to say I can now eat just as much as my Dad - haha!!  In January 2010, I underwent a small operation to try to remove a small nodule from my chest, which wasn't so successful, so had more scans to find out a little more.  During one of these scans there appeared to be signs of a new tumour growing in my stomach, so off we went to The Royal Marsden for a second opinion, as they started talking about removing the rest of my stomach - arghhh!  Fortunately for me (& what's left of my stomach!), they decided to try a chemo type drug called Glivec which works by attempting to block the signals which cause this type of cancer to grow.  After four months on Glivec, I had another scan and we were really pleased to hear the news that the drug had appeared to work and that there was no sign of this new growth, or the nodule in my chest - hooray!! 

It's now 2011 and I am still on Glivec for the time being.  I have a further scan booked for May, so fingers crossed, the drug will keep the GISTs at bay!!

As GIST is such a rare cancer, which doesn't respond to "traditional" forms of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, funds are always needed to help with vital research to help find a cure for this type of cancer, and to provide support and information for people like myself, and our families.  So in order to raise awareness of this type of cancer, I’ve decided to start a fundraising campaign for The Sarcoma Trust.

Last year (2010), together with my family and some great friends, we put together a sponsored team for the Woodley 10 kilometre and 3 kilometer road races being held on Sunday 16 May 2010.  As news of our efforts spread, more volunteers came forward with suggestions of sponsored swimming or cycling events, so we have added a 1.5 kilometre (0.93 mile) swim and a 26 mile (41.8 kilometre) bike ride to the event, and the Team GIST “Triathlon” was born!

The teams, based on their abilities (or lack of !!!!) consisted of:-

·         Woodley 10k Road Race:-  my Mum (haha!) & Step Dad, Leigh & Rob Hibberdine, my Uncle, Graeme Hatch, great friends & “volunteers” – Paul & Wendy Moffatt, Michelle Callan, Nick Oakley, Lindsey Stone, Ian Elam, Sandy Douglas, Rachel Sharp, Andy Harvey, Stephanie Eaton, Sarah Hellstrom, David Crook, David van Gelder, Ruth Swinnerton, Nick Keir and my "GISTer parents", all the way from Edinburgh Brian & Lesley McAully!.

·         Woodley 3k Road Race:-  me, Pippa Hatch (The GISTer!), my step brother, James Hibberdine, my GISTer Sister, Stacey McAully & friends Calum O’Flaherty, Elly Wooldridge, Becca Milton, George Shapland, Georgia Bolter and Lujane Hassan.

·         Taking up the challenge, not on land, but in the water for the 1.5k sponsored Swimmathon were Stuart Hibberdine, David van Gelder, Graeme Hatch, Sandra Douglas, Pippa Hatch, Liv Whittall, Amy Gilder, Chris Ellis, Lindsay Oliver, Sally Powell, Jenny Oakley, Florence Hibberdine and Stacey McAully.  Also taking part in a "mini" swimmathon alongside us all, was my 8 year old cousin Izzy Hatch. 

·         Dusting off their sexy cycling shorts and competing in the 26 mile sponsored Cycle Ride (otherwise known as a traditional Sunday pub crawl!), were myself Pippa Hatch, Steve Hatch, Ian Blair , Graeme Hatch, Rob Hibberdine, Brian McAully, Sammy McAully, Stacey McAully, James Hibberdine, George Shapland, Gary Needham, David van Gelder, Sandra Douglas, Lindsey Stone and Nige & Ryan Pope.   

·         There was even an international element to our event as simultaneous runs, swims & challenges took place in South Africa, Australia & New Zealand!  A huge thank you to Peter & Linda Clarke-Farr in Cape Town for agreeing to a 10km run. In Newcastle, Australia, my God Mother Debbie Johnson did a 3km swim while Maxine Johnson took on a music challenge.  In New Zealand Derek Johnson did a 5km swim (just to show up Aunty Debbie!!), Sean Johnson and 2 of his friends took part in an overnight survival challenge with minimal gear - no tent etc, Broderick Johnson a 20km bike ride, Nicholas Johnson a 2km swim, Aidan Johnson a 4km run, and Jackie Johnson a 60km bike ride - WOW!!! Thank you so much guys for joining our cause from afar!

The "Team GIST" Triathlon raised just over £17,000 but our final total for the end of 2010 was well in excess of £20,000 as we also organised a Charity Quiz/Fish & Chip Supper and other team members took on various other fund raising events to help our fund raising efforts.

I'd like to continue to support The Sarcoma Trust, so if anyone has any further challenges they'd like to take on, or challenge us to (!), we'd really appreciate your support to help us to raise as much as we can for The Sarcoma Trust and and ultimately help to find a cure for GIST and other Sarcoma cancers!

Thank you all very much for your support!

Love from
Pippa
xxxx

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS RECEIVED OFFLINE:-

Earley & District Flower Club Garden Party (2/7/11) - £175.25
Mrs Molly Bridge - £1,000.00
The M J Burton Trust - £1,000.00
Mrs Loire Porter - £5.00
Mrs J Goodall - £5.00
Mr R Everatt - £5.00
Debbie Proctor - £10.00
Barrett & Co Solicitors, Reading - £100.00
Philippa Scott - £5.00
Liz & Stephen Glenfield - £35.00
"Tea & Cake" Donations - £5.00
Mr S Thapar - £25.00
D J Sonn - £50.00
Joan & Joe Tapner - £20.00
Julie Clements - £20.00
The Barbour Family - £500.00
John Chappell - £100.00
Charles Stanley - £50.00
Mrs M J Y Wooldridge - £100.00
Marie Hefferon & Family - £50.00
Justin McDonald - £20.00
M Harvey - £20.00
Debbie Wanman - £10.00
Rita Keir - £25.00
Tim Russ & Company - £20.00
Tony Sturgess - £10.00
Stacey's Grandad - £10.00
Woodford Park Collecting Tin - £124.72
The Bell @ Waltham St Lawrence Pub Collecting Tin - £108.45
Ron & Adrianne Webb - £20.00
Frank & Jacqueline Ridge - £20.00
Mrs Pearce, Mrs Bridden, Mrs Warwick - £15.00
Lesley, Beth & Lily - £10.00
Additional Offline Sponsorship from Calum O'Flaherty - £50.00
R C Cobham - £20.00
Mr & Mrs C W Woodley - £20.00
Alan & Norma Cretney - £20.00
Offline Sponsorship Received from Florence Hibberdine - £107.00
Offline Sponsorship Received from Sandra Douglas - £200.00
Offline Sponsorship Received from Georgia Bolter - £114.00
Collecting Tins from The Green Man, The Jolly Farmer & The Beehive - £31.37
Offline Sponsorship Received from Staff at Luckley Oakfield School - £60.00
Steve & Emma Davies - £75.00
Offline Sponsorship Received from Stephanie Eaton - £170.00
Offline Sponsorship Received from Lindsey Stone - £500.00
Lynne Comley - £25.00
Derek & Teresa Hubbins - £200.00
Mrs Susie Gilchrist, Canada - £250.00
1st Woodley Scout Group - £50.00
Mr G R Grant - £20.00

& A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR SUPPORT:-

Brian Lewis, Roger Wilson & Lindsey Bennister @ The Sarcoma Trust for all their support and advice.
Judith Robinson from GIST Support UK/Sarcoma Trust - for kicking off our "Triathlon" Event.
St Joseph's Convent School, Reading - for stepping in at the 11th hour to allow us the use of their swimming pool.
Sally Hills - our very own "Baywatch" Lifeguard at the "Swimmathon".
Willink Leisure Club for donating the use of a swimming lane (free of charge) for Uncle Stu's 3km Swimmathon!
Emma Thomas at "Winning Rosettes" - for our beautiful personalised rosettes.
David James & Angie Savery - our weekend caterers - yum yum!!
Wendy & Paul Moffatt - Childcare at it's finest, Personal Trainer & always a listening & supporting ear!!
Peter Heath - Team GISTs Editor-in-Chief!
The Jolly Farmer at Hurst
The Beehive at White Waltham
The Bell at Waltham St Lawrence & The Landlord for our Team Refreshments, on the house!
The Green Man at Hurst
Nick Oakley - bike loan!
The McAully Family (aka Team GIST North) - for travelling the length of Britain to support us all!

and most importantly, a very big thank you to ....

My fantastic Oncologist, Dr Kate Wheeler & Surgeon Miss Lakhoo, and their teams at The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for getting me through the last 6 months!  Thanks also to all the brilliant staff on Kamran's and Melanie's Ward for helping to make it so much easier for me to stay positive - you're all amazing!! xx

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