A big thank you from Jen 

“Support not Sympathy" was our motto when Andrew and I started this journey to challenge the cancer that had hit my cervix back in November 2022.  We never imagined the level of support would be so huge and so widespread.  Cards, texts, flowers, hampers, books, eye masks, chocolate, magazines and my precious daily boxes with terrible jokes and sweets inside to cheer me up every time I went for treatment.  I was overwhelmed with kindness.  

Just when I thought the support couldn't get stronger, news arrived that a run was being organised on my behalf to raise money for a charity of my choice.  My dear friends at Rothwell Netball Club, my netball family, started hatching a plan to join the Run for Wildlife 10K at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and to get sponsorship along the way.  People started training, alone, in pairs and in groups to ensure they were 'run ready'.  I also became determined to join in but knew that running wasn't going to be an option - so Andrew and I entered to walk the route - a challenge itself considering the 5 sessions of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiotherapy that I had finished only 2 months earlier.  The event was organised by Laura, and we arranged for any sponsorship to go to Maggie's Support Centre at Leeds.  Andrew and I both used this centre during my treatment as a bolthole, a haven of calm in the chaos and (often) confusion surrounding my diagnosis.  The kindness shown to both of us there was beyond measure, and it seemed to be the natural choice. 

Initially I thought we might raise £1000 but I was so wrong.  Messages flew out on social media and sponsorship flew in from friends and family of all the competitors. 

The final total was £2750 from 152 donors.   

We are not able to put into words our thanks, our gratitude and our appreciation to everyone who contributed to help make the day such a success and to help raise so much money for Maggie's.  

So, if you were someone who helped to get me around that course and helped to make me feel so supported, please know that I am, and always will be, sincerely thankful.

Jenny

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Jen's Story:

On 22nd November 2022 our teammate & all round general LEGEND pal, Jen, was diagnosed with stage 3b Cervical Cancer on the back of a routine gynae appt..

In the whirlwind months that followed Jen has absolutely bossed the gruelling schedule thrust upon her.  Treatment included biopsies, CT Scans, MRI Scans, nephrostomy bag, PET scan, Stent fitting, 5 rounds of chemo, 35 radiotherapy sessions, another MRI and 5 Consultant appts *ALL* whilst holding herself together with her usual zest for life, good humour and a big old pair of positive pants! Did we mention this incredible woman found time to propose to & marry her best friend and love of her life, Andy, during all of this?! What a force of a woman she really is !!

Jen & Andy's motto has been 'support not sympathy' throughout this journey, and as a club, as a family, RNC decided to set about surprising Jen with as much support, love & laughter as possible to get her through some truly gruelling & tough days.

On 23rd April 2023, RNC will take on 'RunForWildlife' 10km run at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the hopes of raising as much money as possible for Maggie's Yorkshire who have, and continue to support Jen and Andy throughout this time and who are close to Jen's heart (https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-yorkshire/)

An update on our Jen; well she has absolutely bossed her treatment plan & repeat scans show a positive reduction in the disease so far, but we won't know how successful treatment has been for another couple of months. So you might be forgiven for thinking she's putting her feet up and resting... but you would be WRONG !

Our incredible Jen & hubby Andy are strapping on those walking boots and aiming to take on the 10km RunForWildlife with the walking cohort amongst us next month!! She really is a formidable force of a woman 😍💪and we are in awe of her strength, determination & her love for life.

PLEASE dig deep & help us to help Jen raise as much money as possible for the incredible charities linked above, to provide as much information help & support to the patients & families affected by this awful disease.

Jen - We are so beyond proud to stand beside you.. this one's for you girl

1,2,3 RNC ! ❤️