Thank you so much for visiting this page!

 

You are here hopefully to help me raise as much money as possible for Beating Bowel Cancer, a charity which is very close to my heart (although it would probably rather be close to my backside!).

 

More importantly than the money, however, I am hoping to raise awareness of the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK.  When detected early, bowel cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, but people are often too shy or scared to talk about the inner workings of their bottoms.  The result is that far too many people are dying of this disease which is still too seldom discussed.

 

As many of you know, my mum Alison was diagnosed with bowel cancer nearly nine years ago.  Amazingly, countless operations, uncomfortable "rummages" and years of chemotherapy later she is still working hard to promote awareness of bowel cancer through her work as a Patient Voice for Beating Bowel Cancer.  Talks at department stores, police stations and job centres are invaluable opportunities to offer words of wisdom from someone who has first-hand experience of bowel cancer.

 

She's gone from losing hair to living with a full-blown afro and dealt with fingers and toes which split on their own, not to mention the stuff she doesn't tell me about. She is even considering writing a second book to follow Journeywoman: Poems and Alphabet, which gives an extremely sharp and witty view of living with cancer.

 

My mum is a true inspiration to me and it is of her that I think when I am struggling to rack up the miles in training.  A marathon is really nothing in comparison.

 

Please give generously, and please visit the charity's website and tell someone about it!  We need to spread the word about bottoms!

 

Thank you again,

Hugh

 

P.S. Here's a sample from my mum's first book:

 

Fashionistas

 

We all have designer navels,

fingers tingle, taste buds flag.

And our plumbing is quite special -

custom colons, tasteful bags.

 

Some of us are radioactive,

glowing in the dark like stars.

We should start a competition

for the chic, the must-have scar.

 

© Alison Michell