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As many of you will know Cancer has played a pretty big part in my life and I have done several events to raise money for Cancer Research UK. But in 2019 I am taking on my biggest challenge yet - climbing the tallest freestanding mountain on earth - Mount Kilimanjaro! I am both excited and nervous about this next challenge but I know how well how important events and fundraising like this are in the fight against cancer. 

So my relationship with cancer started when I was 18 when Mom explained to me that she had cancer. Mom was actually diagnosed with breast cancer when I was just 4 years old, but in true Mom style cancer wasn't going to impact on me and my brother - we were not to know anything until we were old enough to understand and we didn't! For the next 2-3 years Mum was well, she succeeded in seeing me Graduate from University and seeing me turn 21 which were two of her goals. But in 2002 Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and for the next few years went through a lot of treatment including surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. It was devastating to see her in pain and being ill from the treatment but Mom was always Mom. Always there with advice, a chat and reassuring words regardless of how she felt. Sadly on November 17th 2005 Mom, at just 59, lost her 24 year battle with cancer with her family around her bedside. 

Cancer wasn't done with us though and in 2010 was to make a reappearance, this time it was Dad's turn! In May 2010 Dad was diagnosed with mouth cancer! Dad, wasn't a big drinker, not a smoker and was always out on his bike, he was the last person you would think this would happen to, but cancer doesn't care who it effects! Dad quickly had surgery to remove the cancer, following his recovery he started a 6 week course of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which would see him have 30 rounds of radiotherapy and 6 rounds of chemotherapy . All of the treatment really knocked Dad about and he had several infections, one was so bad he ended up in intensive care for a week. It was a really tough few months for Dad and for all of us to see and be helpless to do anything to make it better for him. 

2010 wasn't just the year cancer was going to re-enter our lives it was also the year that I was getting married so for Dad to be able to walk me down the aisle and to make his speech was a major goal. Dad, just in case, recorded his speech before his surgery as we didn't know how he would be on the day and its lucky he did as he was in intensive care just a few days before the big day so he wasn't strong enough to speak. He was there though and I felt like the luckiest daughter! Day to day Dad is living with the effects of cancer, he doesn't have a pain free day but Dad is a survivor and is still going strong. He still goes out on his bike,  still being Dad, shouting at me and now being a Grandad to my gorgeous boy! 

It down to treatments developed by Cancer Research UK that I enjoyed 25 years with my Mom and its down to Cancer Research UK that I still have a Dad!   

Having had such a close relationship with cancer and working for Cancer Research UK I know only too well not only the effects of Cancer but also the massive impact of fundraising! Treatments are getting better and kinder, survival rates are getting better but there is still so much more to do. Please please dig deep and spare a few pennies and in return I will be training, fundraising and will climb that mountain as best as I can with a smile on my face! 

Thank you so much

Emily xxx

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