Cancer is something that has affected my family a lot, with my Grandpa who unfortunately lost his battle with cancer and my mum who was also affected by cancer and won her battle.

November 2016, my sister was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma of the right orbit, following an operation to remove a lump by her eye which was initially thought to be a blocked tear duct. This diagnosis has put her life on hold. I remember the day I was told like yesterday, my mum dad and sister came to visit me at university, it was one of the hardest things my parents have had to tell me and one of the hardest things I've had to hear. I just wanted to switch places with her and take it all away. It's hard not being able to see her all the time and be there for her as I am away at university and she is at home.

The whole thing has happened so quickly. After having a scan at the Royal Marsden, they found that the cancer had spread to her neck and was also diagnosed with Metastatic to cervical lymph nodes, they also found that the tumours had grown, which meant that she had to start treatment earlier than planned. Her treatment has involved her having a pick line put in, which is an invasive procedure and had to unfortunately be redone in her other arm a few months later, due to it blocking. The treatment has involved her having 4 different types of chemotherapy, which are thankfully working, however they do make her very unwell. The treatment has also involved her going to America for two and a half months with my parents, for proton therapy, as well as the on-going chemotherapy. When she received her MRI and various scans after returning to the Marsden following the proton treatment they found that it had prevented the tumours from growing. We are so thankful that she received the funding to go to America to receive the proton therapy . It was hard her being so far away but we kept in contact pretty much every day through snapchat and skype. I was also able to go out to America to see her during my Easter break from uni. We went on lots of fun trips to help take our minds of things and help make the situation a little easier for my sister, one of these included Disneyland. After America, she returned to the Marsden to continue with her chemotherapy. A few months after returning she was able to finish these chemos, which involved her being an impatient at the Marsden for 4/5 days each week. She had more Scans and we were told that everything was going in the right direction. After this she started intravenous chemotherapy every Friday at the day unit at the Marsden and has a tablet form of chemo every week day. Due to this she has amazingly, to everyone's surprise, been able to return to the Brit school, who have been amazing, and she has now started her last year of sixth-form with all her friends.

In the last few weeks, a year on from diagnosis she has finished the intravenous chemo and she is due more scans. We have everything crossed  that the results will be positive and she will be a step close to recovery.
She is continuing to fight this terrible disease, with on going treatment. We met some amazing people in America and wish them well in their fight against cancer!! The medical staff that looked after Marie in America were amazing and I can't thank them enough for all they did!!!

There is still a long way to go but we will get there together and continue the battle!!

I would also like to thank the Royal Marsden and all the staff that have been there from the start and remain by Marie's side during this hard time, helping her to overcome this horrible illness. I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am to the Marsden. Without them we would be in a very different situation facing a very different outcome. The staff are all absolutely amazing. I would like to say a special thank you to the Nurses that have and are looking after Marie during this process and have helped to make things a lot easier for her.

I cannot describe how proud I am of you Marie! You are an amazing person who really didn't deserve any of this. It is unbelievable how brave you are being and how well you are coping with all of this, just look at the beads!! (The beads represent all the treatment she has been through and each time she receives a treatment whether it be a chemo or blood transfusion she adds a bead in a corresponding colour.) Keep fighting you will get through this and be performing again, and guess what I will be in the front row screaming your name!! I love you so so much!!
Love from ya big sis :) xxx

Unfortunately, at the beginning of September, one of my very close friends, Cameron, was diagnosed with cancer. This has sadly meant that he has had to put his 2nd year of uni on hold for the moment. When I heard the news I was devastated. I was worried and upset as a had an understanding of what he was going to face, due to my sister. He is coping amazingly well with everything and I am so proud of him. Cameron is the one that got this team together and set it up, BRING ON THIS 14 MILE MARCH!! He is such an amazing person!! Keep fighting Cameron!! xxx

I have posted his story below:

'' I am walking 14 miles from the Chelsea Royal Marsden to the Sutton Royal Marsden. I am doing this to raise money for the hospital charity with the hope this helps them continue their great work and care that they provide for everyone that needs. 

My mum received treatment and great care at the Sutton Royal Marsden on and off for 11 years. She passed away after her 11 year fight against Breast Cancer in 2010 at the Sutton Royal Marsden. 

7 Years on, I myself have been diagnosed with testicular cancer. I am currently receiving treatment at the Sutton Royal Marsden, and cannot speak highly enough of the care that I have received in the last 2 months. Hopefully when we get round to the 4th March, I will be able to complete this 14 mile walk, which will be a true sign of how far I have come, from 2 months ago where I barely made the 10 minute walk to uni, for my first lecture of 2nd year. 

Please dig deep for this charity and give all that you can as it is one that is very close to my heart for the obvious reasons, and I cannot stress how incredible everyone that works at both Marsden sites are. This includes the Surgeons, Professors, Doctors, Consultants, Junior Doctors, Porters, Cleaners, and especially the Nurses. 

Thanks ''

Please donate whatever you can to this amazing charity. With out the Royal Marsden we would be facing a very different situation. They do the most amazing work and provide absolutely fantastic care. I really appreciate all your help in supporting this amazing charity, thank you so much it means a lot!!!

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