I will undertake 2 challenges this summer in order to raise funds for Sheffield Hospitals charity (haematology care, hallamshire Hospital).
On 26th May I will undertake the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge and on 9th September will complete the Great North Run.
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge is an endurance race against the clock. The Challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, and needs to be completed in under 12 hours. The route is 24.5 miles long and includes 5200ft of accent.
The great north run is an epic half marathon, 13.1 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne finishing by the coast at South Shields and I would be aiming to complete this in under 2 hours.
My reason for undertaking both challenges is to raise funds for the haematology wards at the Hallamshire hospital, Sheffield.
In November 2017 my partner Kevin was diagnosed with Primary Central Nervous System High Grade non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This being a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma and in Kevin's case located in the brain and eyes. Our lives turned round on a sixpence!!!
The diagnosis was made following an urgent brain biopsy, and treatment followed very quickly. Kevin has been receiving treatment ever since and not a week has gone by without some form of treatment. His treatment consisting of high risk and brutal regimes of Chemotherapy, each cycle lasting days at a time, requiring weeks of inpatient care, with blood transfusions, platelet transfusions and intravenous treatment for infections and many more procedures, being too many to mention.
Kevin is now undergoing a Stem Cell transplant, this in itself consisting of harvesting, high dose chemotherapy and the actual stem cell transplant. Kevin will then have a long recovery journey ahead with many risks and challenges to overcome.
I have witnessed the person I love dearly go through so much arduous and invasive treatment, with many serious side effects, all of which though, life saving and necessary. Amazingly throughout all of this Kevin has remained strong, and positive, not once having a down day or a moan, always smiling and focussed. He has been my true hero and inspiration, and my main motivation for undertaking these fundraising challenges.
My other motivation for undertaking the challenges has been the need to say thank you to all staff on the haematology wards at the Hallamshire hospital. Before Kevin's illness I had no idea of the work, research or expertise the haematology team carried out. Kevin has received, and is still receiving the best care anyone could wish for.
His consultants and stem cell transplant team have been awe inspiring, being internationally renowned experts and clinical researchers in their field. The compassionate and specialist care offered by the nursing, medical, auxiliary and support staff has been humbling and really is something that needs to be recognised.
No one wants to see their loved one diagnosed with with cancer or any other life-threatening illness, my comfort is sort in the confidence taken from Kevin being in the safe caring hands of such experts.
My fundraising will support the clinical team in delivering their care by being able to enhance the ward and day ward environments offering patients and their careers a few creature comforts and "home from home" care.
Patients with lymphoma spend many hours and days in hospital and are often isolated due to infection risks. Kevin himself has experienced a serious infection requiring 12 days of isolation. Charitable Funds allow the team to purchase items such as televisions radios and video Skype facilities which are vital for patients to stay connected with the outside world and most importantly with loved ones..These just being a few examples of what the funds can help with.
I have no words to express the thanks and gratitude I feel toward the medical, nursing and support staff. Every time I walk onto their wards I say a little thank you..Partaking in these challenges and raising much needed funds is just a small way of repaying the team for their unconditional care and expertise.. To each and every staff member, THANKYOU for caring for the man I love...
Thank you for reading and for now thank you in advance for any donations you may wish to give...
