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I will attempt to keep this brief!

Some of you may know I was diagnosed with throat cancer early in 2021, a massive shock I had just taken the decision to retire and wasn't bargaining for a battle to survive.

I was lucky enough to be referred to The Christie Hospital, included in a clinical trial and received ground-breaking proton therapy alongside chemotherapy for 7 weeks. My initial thoughts were 'I can do this, I'm robust!' ....... I soon realised that the treatment was brutal and intensive with unrelenting side effects.

To add to this Covid 19 was doing it's best so I had to endure the treatments alone. Every staff member from the consultants to the domestic staff were just amazing, once inside those doors, they took over from family and friends became my supporters. The way in which they supported me when I was at my lowest ebb was heartening, they always made the time and their kindness and care went above and beyond.

Now for the positives.....   I now feel stronger, I had a clear scan in November 2021. followed by a major blip when I needed surgery earlier this year, thankfully, what initially was expected to be a further cancer was benign!  I am adapting and learning to cope with the long term side effects from the head and neck treatments. I also met others going through the same treatments, we continue to support each other and I am confident we will be friends for life! 

So now I wish to give something back to The Christie Hospital in order that they can continue in their research to treat cancers in new innovative ways, seeking methods to reduce the long term effects of the treatments that give us our lives back. For those of us in the North West we are so lucky to have this hospital and you never know when you need to call on the expertise of the incredible oncology teams there. 

I thought long and hard on how to fundraise, I now can't walk long distances and I certainly am not going to fling myself out of a plane again, but, I though the abseil was perfect! I detest heights so this will test my nerve and I hope you can give a little  so I can help Christie's carry on doing what they do best. ( I know times are tough and I do really appreciate that.)

Thank you (I promise to video the experience and post it so you get your money's worth!!)