Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running this year's Simplyhealth Great North Run on September 10th 2017 in aid of The Children's Cancer Fund in memory of our beautiful daughter Megan.

Megan lost her brave battle with bowel cancer on Friday 9th June 2017. 

She was just 19 years old.


Sixteen months ago, Megan received the devastating news that she had terminal bowel cancer. Determined not to let her diagnosis dictate who Megan was, she vowed she would be much more than her cancer. 

Despite fighting this cruel disease daily - and always with her beautiful smile, Megan was determined to help raise awareness of bowel cancer in teenagers and young adults.

Megan spoke to the local and national media (something she wasn't entirely comfortable with, as she was such a private girl) - she did this because she didn't want another family to go through what we've had to go through these last 16 months. 

Megan wrote a letter to every GP in Cumbria. She wanted to remind them that, while more common in older people, NO ONE IS TOO YOUNG and bowel cancer can strike anyone at any age. (https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/never-too-young)

We plan to continue Megan's work in her memory by writing to every GP across the North East. 

Megan's letter-writing campaign focused on two tool-kits,; one developed by Bowel Cancer UK, to help GP's spot the signs of bowel cancer in young people 

(https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/media-centre/news-and-blog/new-risk-tool-to-help-gps-decide-if-patients-under-50-have-serious-bowel-condition), 

and the second, an e-learning module called 'Detecting cancer in children and young people' - devised by the Teenage Cancer Trust. 

(https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/about-us/news/new-e-learning-module-will-help-doctors-diagnose-cancer-young-people)

This tool-kit - aimed at GPs, GP trainees, nurse practitioners and allied health care professionals - will help identify symptoms and signs which could indicate a malignancy in a child or young person.

Every year in the North of England, 100 children are diagnosed with cancer.

The Children's Cancer Fund, (www.childrenscancerfund.org.uk) set up by a group of medical professionals in 1992 to help process donations to the children's cancer unit at the RVI in Newcastle, helps to improve the quality of life of children and teenagers being treated for cancer on Wards 4 and 14 of the Great North Children's Hospital. 

They fund additional medical equipment as well as toys and activities to help make life on the unit more bearable.

They also provide welfare support to families, who can enjoy a much needed break at their caravan on the Northumberland coast. In short, the Children’s Cancer Fund exists to improve the quality of life for the children who have to spend time in hospital for the treatment of cancer.

Our family will always be eternally grateful to Megan's incredible consultant - Dr Quentin Campbell-Hewson, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and, all the amazing healthcare staff at the RVI, who all do exceptional work.



Megan touched the hearts of many and we can’t thank everyone enough for their kind messages and, for the incredible support Megan received during her illness.

As a family, we will continue to raise awareness and funds in memory of Megan.



Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has donated so far - your kindness and generosity continues to amaze us.  



Mike, Bev, and Ellie Pryde - on behalf of our amazing daughter Megan. 

X

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.