Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I'm doing a 10km run at the end of September, in aid of the LYNDA JACKSON MACMILLAN CANCER CENTRE at Mount Vernon Hospital (see http://www.moorpark10k.org.uk/).

In 1985 my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, and was told she had just 6 months to live. She was determined not to give in to her illness, and ended up fighting for another 13 years- telling no one but my Dad about it. She was like a second mum to me, and our whole family was turned upside down by the shock of her passing aged just 47. I was only in Year 8 then, but I still remember the Macmillan nurse sitting me down and explaining what had happened to me and my brother.

The latest statistics show that 1 in 3 people will develop cancer at some stage in their lives, and I'm sure many of you know someone who has been affected. The Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre was the first centre of its kind to offer a full service of support, information, counselling and complementary therapies to cancer patients and their carers. It aims to help people cope with all aspects of the disease from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.  Each year, it eceives approximately 15,000 requests for help.

The LJMC is partially funded by the NHS but relies on voluntary donations and fundraising activities for approximately 50% of its running costs. In the year 2009-10, these costs will be in excess of £550,000.

I have run the 5km Cancer Research Raise for Life for many years,  but this year I am hoping to raise £1000 for running 10km. I know its an ambitious target in these tough times, but with your help I hope I can do it. Please sponsor me - I would really appreciate anything you can give.  .

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Thank you so much for your support,

 

Nishma