I'm running the 2023 Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K on Sunday 26 March to help raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre- the Hospital of Hope. 

Many of you reading this will know that Ieuan was diagnosed with cancer in October 2017…a lump found by our dentist…a biopsy…and so our journey began. I will never forget sitting in the waiting room in Velindre for the first time. “How can this be happening to us…?”, “why…?”, “what’s going to happen?”…so many thoughts as well as emotions, it was overwhelming to say the least.

I didn’t know how we were going to cope, we had only lost my dad to cancer suddenly three months previously and I felt lost. But cope we did…and Velindre were an amazing part of our coping strategy. What they provide, what they do…is nothing short of amazing. Every member of staff were there to help and do what they could every step of the way. Consultants, radiologists, nurses, receptionist, phlebotomists, porters…the list goes on…all there for you every step of the way. 

I remember when Ieu became very ill after his first lot of chemo and I phoned them (trying not to panic because I had a feeling he had sepsis- as that’s what we watched dad die of) and they told me exactly what to do and they got him in and looked after him with such care. Nothing was too much, the nurses would sit with him through the night when it all got too much. The care shown is above and beyond. Even when Ieu was having radiotherapy which made him so sick that one day he couldn’t even walk and I couldn’t get him out of the car…one of the guys who was outside delivering bits here there and everywhere came over to help, he got us a wheelchair and sick bowls and made sure he was comfortable. 

I honestly could go on and on. Ieus consultant was amazing and managed to explain everything so well and kept so positive, which just helps your own positivity and mentality too in that situation. Even the people that you meet who are going through the same situation…they became like family. 

So the initial sickness and fear of being diagnosed became something that we could and did cope with…it wasn’t easy, I’m not saying that…but Velindre….the Hospital of Hope is just that…it provides you with a glimmer of hope, it provides you with excellent care…it provided Ieu with a cancer free life.

I’m not a natural runner, but got into running to help clear my head and help me cope. I don’t find running easy…but if I can run 10K and raise some money for Velindre too then I will. Ieu and I used to say that one day we would raise money as a way of showing gratitude, so here I am! 

Thank you Velindre from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for us as a family and all that you do for others- including many relatives of mine too. THANK YOU. 

So if you can spare a pound or two…every little helps and it all adds up, I would be truly grateful. Cancer can happen to any one of us, we never know what’s around the corner and when we may need the amazing support of somewhere as special as Velindre. Thanks for reading x