Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Tanya and I am a wife, mummy of 3 and a teacher. For the past few years my life had been the usual busy working family life. Last year I had also started to run using a local couch to 5k programme in Ballyclare I had hoped to complete it by running in their 5k Mayfair run. However my life was turned upside down on the 26th April last year when (at the age of 36) I was diagnosed with cervical cancer following a routine smear. Tests, scans biopsies and surgery ensued and I had to give up running. I had to have a laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection last July. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful support network behind me including my husband and family, my church family and my friends. It was during this time that I was introduced to Dawn and teamHope. She helped me daily by sending me quotes and best wishes messages. Also Colin and I were also fortunate enough to be able to stay in Hope House Ireland in Whitehead during my cancer journey for some respite. There we had a wee safe haven where we could relax and reflect on how far we had come and prepare ourselves for the rest of the journey ahead. It gave us a safe space to discuss cancer away from our children and to openly face our fears head on. 

I was very fortunate my cancer was caught early and in August I was given the news that the operation had been a success and I was cancer free. I have been left with some long term side effects from the surgery - one being that I have to self catheterise 5 times a day. But it's a small price to pay to be cancer free. 

Hope house has been such a massive help and support to me and my family that we wanted to do something to raise funds to help team hope. I have signed up again for the couch to 5k programme in Ballyclare this year and am determined to complete it by running in the Mayfair race! A very personal landmark for me as I had to drop out last year- it will symbolise how far I have come in my cancer journey.

 Hope house relies solely on charity donations to keep going. They believe that "a break, even for a few days, can be truly valuable in recovery. In fact, research shows that our surroundings have a profound affect on immune system function and our sense of well-being. If you like to walk by the sea, HOPEhouse self catering apartment with its warmth, comfort and beautiful views of the sea on Whitehead Promenade Co Antrim, provides free of any charge, a unique place to relax and recharge from the stress of Hospitals and treatments, or maybe you have come to the end of all your treatments and just need a few days break to recuperate, whether your local or you have to travel long distances our service is for you. Traveling to Belfast City Hospital can be very tiring for people who travel long distance get in touch if you need somewhere closer to stay on treatment days"

I would be so grateful if you could give a donation to help Hope House be able to continue providing support to adult cancer patients and their partners/carers. With your help team hope can continue helping others like me stand up to cancer! 

Thanks so much for your support.