This is written by me, Emma Saxby, for my lovely friend Vanessa Alexander nee Johnson who some of you will know.  We met when we were 12 at Summer Camp, then by coincidence she was nominated to show me around my new school the following year.  We became firm friends and had sleepovers, attended theatre group, had nights out, designed her flat together, I was even  one of her bridesmaids and was fortunate enough to spend time with her and her family when she was living in Dubai....just a few of the memories we have together.

Cancer Research UK says that 1 in every 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime.  Currently there are over 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK.  There are more than 990 new cases a day, that’s 360,000 a year.  We have all been touched by cancer in one way or another. 

In 2006 Vanessa was diagnosed with a benign, low grade, growing, glioma brain tumour.  Through research Vanessa found a fantastic surgeon, Mr Critchley, who performed an awake  craniotomy on her to give her the best fighting chance for the future.  Vanessa bravely choose to have the operation whilst still knowing that there were high risks involved and that there was a great possibility that the tumour could return in the future.

For 12 years Vanessa has had MRI scans every 6 months to monitor the growth rate of the tumour and any changes from benign to malignant. This year has unfortunately seen a growth change.  New research now says that one possible next step is radio and chemotherapy, this is an alternative to further surgery, this will potentially begin later on in the year.

I was delighted when Vanessa suggested that we do this walk together, another opportunity to make a fabulous memory and to raise funds for Macmillan.  It would be great if you would kindly donate to either my or Vanessa Alexander’s Justgiving pages.  We have our birthdays in May, hers is the 13th and mine is the 20th, we will be 45 this year.  No presents...just donations please.  Let’s show our support and love for Vanessa and for this cause.  It will be a great source of comfort and encouragement for VJ to know that we are behind her.  Thank you all so much in advance.