#Challenge59

Over the course of the lockdown I have been wanting to do a challenge. Following on from my London marathon training, I want to push myself, to do something bigger than I ever thought I could achieve, to test myself, see what I am capable of and do something for CLIC Sargent who helped me get to where I am today. Inspired by my brother (Dan Anderton) and recent books I have read, I decided to stop thinking and go for it.  

CLIC Sargent have recently said “we are seeing a 60% drop in our income, while the number of families in crisis increases rapidly.” Their care is essential and I, hopefully with your support, need to help them. Therefore, in aid of CLIC Sargent, I present #Challenge59.  

12 years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. Between 27th February and 12th September, I was tested, diagnosed and treated for my cancer totaling 59 hospital appointments (this excludes home visits and my 6 years of follow up care). So, on the 14th June I will be running 59 miles in one day. This is where I need you ... 

I would be incredibly grateful for any donations you could make, but for a bit of fun I am also going to run a little competition: Guess My Finish Time. It will cost £5 to enter and it must be paid through my JustGiving page* below along with your estimated time - closest guess wins! I will announce the winner after my run and the winner will win a £30 Prezzo Voucher.  You can enter and guess as many times as you like!  

CLIC Sargent were there for me and my family. Now I would appreciate your help and support so they can be there for more families in crisis.  

I will be keeping you all updated on my #Challenge59 as my training progresses but in advance, thank you so much for your time reading this post, your support and your kindness.  

London Marathon

On May 16^th 2008 I remember going to a hospital appointment to receive the results on a biopsy I had from a lump on my left knee. Cancer was not a word that we had talked about before this appointment, we hadn’t even thought about it. My Mum and I were joking around in Level 12 outpatients, looking at the fish and pretending to read children’s books… and then Petra Russell, Claire Turner and Dr Ward came out to see us. I remember thinking ‘why is there 3 of them?’ and then looking over at my Mum who also looked confused. The atmosphere had changed. Despite these thoughts, and me being my shy self, I just sat there and smiled. The next few sentences that we heard were ones that we had never expected, never planned for and never thought would happen to us.  It was Cancer.

The following few months were hectic; I had my operation at Birmingham and follow up appointments in Bristol, Plymouth and back up in Birmingham. I unfortunately had a blood clot in my knee a few weeks after my operation which resulted in two more operations in Plymouth and a delay in my treatment. Although we were disappointed that my treatment was delayed, in this time were given the option to have treatment in Plymouth. It meant that I didn’t have to go to Bristol for my 6 weeks of radiotherapy; I could stay at home and go to school when I felt well enough.

Between May and September my life was a whirlwind of emotion but we got through it. It was hard, it was tiring but it taught me a lot. My Mum was amazing; she was my rock, my best friend and I simply could not have done it without her.

But without CLIC Sargent’s support, it would have been so much harder for my Mum and subsequently, me. CLIC Sargent was always there for us, we never asked for help because they were there ready, offering us support before we needed it; from home visits from the nurse, having an expert on the end of phone to ask questions to, to having financial and emotional support. We always felt like we had someone to reach to for help and never felt alone.

For me personally the young people meals and trips CLIC Sargent facilitated helped me immensely emotionally. I never met another young person going through cancer during my treatment - which affected me more than I thought. My confidence was low. These young people days allowed me to rebuild, they meant I wasn’t alone in this strange world of being a young cancer patient and they helped me realise how fortunate I was in scheme of things.  

I have experienced the services CLIC Sargent make available first hand when I was younger, but over the past 4 years I have had the privilege of working for them as a fundraiser.  I have met so many families who have told me that they wouldn’t have coped emotionally or financially without CLIC Sargent. I see the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure more families are supported and the work they do to improve the cancer service for young cancer patients as well as the actual services they provide; it’s just so inspiring. Everyone, from IT and HR to the social workers and Home and Home caretakers, have the same goal to ensure that each and every young person diagnosed with cancer gets the support they need and deserve.

CLIC Sargent is a charity that is so close to my heart. To run for them at the London Marathon is a real honour. Any donations you can make, however big or small, would be hugely appreciated.  Each donation to CLIC Sargent will honestly be life changing.

Thank you.