"I am truly blessed, I've learnt to appreciate everything. My life has totally changed and its made me realize what is important!!! My family and friends are the best and I love them all the world!!! "

These were the words of a very close and very special lady to me. Katie Louise Daintith was the most inspirational person i have ever had the honour to not only meet, but to call a best friend.

In November 2011, Katie was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Initially, Katie was told not to worry and was reassured by medical staff that she would make a full recovery once treatment was given. 

Following the painful weeks of inital treatment, Kate was faced with more challenges, she was rushed to hospital in excrutiating pain and was told that she was at a very high risk of perforation. It was then that Katie was given the bombshell that the cancer had infact spread and was now living in both her liver and her lungs.

Ever the fighter, Katie spent Christmas undergoing extensive and  aggrressive chemoradiation, in the hope that the inital tumor in her bowel would be shrunk enough for her to have surgery and have it removed. Doctors reassured her that the main concern was to focus on the primary tumor before dealing with the METS.

Once the 8 weeks of treatment were over, Katie had further scans which confirmed katie's worst nightmare. The treatment had been unsuccessful and the cancer had spread dramtically. Never one to back down katie was given hope by an oncologist. The onlcologist told Kate how things were black and white and what she could expect and the possible choices she could make... Katies choice? TO FIGHT BACK SOME MORE!!!

Katie under went further treatment and suffered months of torture, having ridiculoulsy strong chemotherapy followed by drugs that werent even properly established in the UK yet. Any fight option she was given she took and she fought. She gave the cancer an absolute bloody battle. 

In May 2012, Katie married the man of her dreams and father of little Kimberley, Peter Daintith in the most fairytale wedding the world has ever seen! No one would believe that Katie was going through such a hell when she looked so amazing and acted so gracefully. Katie had her dream come true and she decided no one could take this away from her, not even the devil that is cancer.

She continued to fight for the following months , spending several weeks in and out of both hospital and Willowbrook Hospice. It was there that she told me she felt safe, and that no matter what happened to her she knew she was in the best place to be. It was here that Katie spent her last hours of life, before sadly and regrettably leaving us on January 29th of this year. In my eyes Katie didn't loose her fight, she won her battle and can finally be at rest, pain free and peaceful.

If anything, I can take comfort from knowing that Kate was in the one place she felt safe, with the people who mattered most to her. The care she recieved whilst in Willowbrook hospice was brilliant, from all healthcare, nursing and medical staff. Kate really did appreciate everything that they did for her, and even asked at her funeral that instead of people buying flowers they donated to the hospice.

 The qualities that Katie possessed inspire me everyday to live life to the fullest and not take things for granted. It is because of you Katie that I am attempting this run, no doubt you will be looking over and laughing at the shocking attempt I give (Everyone who knows us knows how much we both enjoyed our pasties and nandos!) but Mrs. D you're worth it! I'd run to the end of the wolrd for my girly!!

So please donate any money, big or small to help support this wonderful hospice, that provides comfort and expert care to those who need it most!!

"When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars"

Katie Lou, my angel, I'll be seeing you xxx