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Last year my elderly Mum was treated like royalty whilst successfully undergoing treatment for skin cancer. In spite of my Mum having cognitive impairment, very limited vision and being profoundly deaf, the staff helped her to stay calm and treated her throughout with respect. They really could not have been kinder. It's not the first time I've been involved with The Christie and it got me thinking.....

In 2009 I, too, was diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer at The Christie Hospital, Manchester. Like thousands and thousands of others, I experienced the uncertainty, the fear and the constant emotional turmoil. Each and every member of staff I came into contact with had such a handle on how I was feeling. The care, support and compassion they provide is just fabulous - at a time when you are small and scared and feel so, so alone in the world.  

I still return for annual check-ups. This year - ten years on - if everything is still tickety-boo when I attend for my check-up, I will be referred back to my own GP for subsequent annual check-ups. So it'll hopefully be goodbye Christie - and time to give a little back...

Now I've dabbled in jogging (aka 'shuffling') and initially thought about running silly-miles for charity. But my 52 year old body (back, hips, knees...need I go on?) vehemently argued the toss - and won - so I decided a walking challenge would be much more feasible.  

So I have committed to walk 2019 miles between 1st January and 31st December 2019. The aim is to raise money, through sponsorship or simply begging, for The Christie Charitable Fund. The Christie Hospitals help thousands of people regain their lives - I estimate every family in the country has been helped, in some way, by these phenomenal hospitals. We cannot deny we are blessed to have these facilities. Even more blessed would we be if cancer were a mere scourge of our distant past - and that might only one day be a possibility with the research and development carried out today at places like The Christie.

This challenge is overseen by a group called 'Run the Year', although it's perfectly within the rules of the challenge (google it if you don't believe me!) to walk instead of run, as long as you clock up the magic 2019 miles by 31st December 2019. 

It works out at just over 5.5 miles per day. Not an outstanding distance maybe, but enough of a challenge when jobs, family life etc, are factored in? Miss a day or two and I'll be walking through the night to catch up!

I will be rambling about my ramblings on my blog here - 

My blog

If you feel willing and able to sponsor me I would be so very grateful. Thanks for reading x

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