As some of you may be aware, my gorgeous and inspirational cousin Lesley has unfortunately been given a diagnosis of terminal breast cancer having already had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer in 2015 and completing all available treatments at the time to treat the disease. As the cancer spreads, the treatment plans at this stage are mainly palliative, however the options available for breast cancer warriors on the NHS are very limited.
Through a lot of her own research, Lesley has found a treatment called Selective Internal Radio Therapy (SIRT) available in mainland UK which is only available on the NHS to bowel cancer patients with liver metastasis. This treatment has huge success rates in helping to slow the progression of this awful disease, and in turn grants extra time in order to make precious memories with loved ones. As a mother with three young children and a loving husband, Lesley deserves all the time available to her so that they can have as much priceless family time together as possible.
The treatment has to be privately funded by Lesley as it is not available to her on the NHS and although the initial fundraising campaigns have raised an enormous amount, the cost of the treatment itself and other costs including travel to the mainland from Northern Ireland soon add up.
In honour of Lesley, I will be running the Waterside Half Marathon on 3rd September and I ask you to please spare whatever you can to donate to this fantastic cause. I am in absolute awe of how this amazing lady has stayed so positive and strong throughout this journey and she will forever be my inspiration.