• 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of Helen's diagnosis with cancer.

• Helen was the wonderful younger sister of my Daughter-in-Law, Adele Neale.  Every year Adele takes part in the Race for Life and so far has raised funds in Helen's memory of over £11,000.  I did this with her a few years ago and was really touched by how emotional taking part in this was.  I have decided to join Adele again this year and hope I can count on your support.

• Once again I am findraising for the Chris Lucas Trust who do an amazing job funding research into treatment & a cure for Rhabdomyosarcoma, the rare & aggressive cancer that Helen had.

  Helen was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 18 on 18th October 2003. She underwent a year of intensive chemotherapy & radiotherapy. Three months after treatment finished, the cancer returned & Helen was told there was nothing more that could be done. Then an operation was suggested which they estimated gave Helen a 5% chance of survival, this would hopefully remove the tumour but also mean the loss of her eye. Helen grabbed this opportunity & underwent the gruelling 10.5hr operation around 8 weeks later at the beginning of April 2005. By Christmas 2005 the cancer had returned to its original site & began to spread to other areas of Helen's face & neck. In the new year of 2006 Helen made the journey to Southampton to be scanned to assess the extent of the cancer & what steps would be taken next. On the 17th February 2006 we were told that Helen, in theory, should not have been alive at that moment in time & would certainly not outlive another month. Helen continued to amaze everyone, as she had done throughout her treatment, & lived for another 3.5mths with only her final fortnight being spent peacefully at home when the cancer cruelly robbed her of her sight. In the end Helen passed away peacefully, with dignity & in control, at home, tucked up in bed.

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Lynn xxx