My name is Andrea Sheardown, I am 53, married and have three beautiful children aged 23, 22, & 13. I would like to share my story with you to raise awareness about the deadly cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma and raise much needed funds for The UK’s only Cholangiocarcinoma charity called the AMMF.

In October 2015, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma a rare form of bile duct cancer. This extremely aggressive form of cancer is normally difficult to detect and diagnose early enough for treatment. It is known as one of the ‘silent cancer killers,’ with less than 5% of people diagnosed surviving beyond 12 months and by the time of diagnosis it is often too advanced for surgery – which is currently the only potential cure. I had been experiencing some severe pain and discomfort in my ribcage and initially it was put down to strained muscles, however the pains intensified over a short period of time, and on further investigation with x-rays and scans, a large mass (the size of a small pineapple), was detected on my liver! Initially I was just given weeks to live due to the cancer being in advanced stages, but through our own perseverance we went on to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. Thankfully, I managed to defy the odds against me, and go on to have major surgery to my liver in November 2015 to remove the cancer. This was followed by a grueling six months of chemotherapy. The treatment took its toll on my body, and I was hospitalised on numerous occasions, but giving up never entered my head. I know I have been incredibly lucky to have made it this far, so have since made it my mission to give back and help others dealing with this devastating cancer!

This cancer is increasing across all age groups, including younger people, and the cause of this ongoing increase is unknown. Much more research is desperately needed. AMMF is the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity, dedicated to tackling this devastating cancer on all fronts: providing information and support, campaigning to raise awareness, and encouraging and supporting research.

Over the past 8 years with the help of my family and friends, I have organised many fundraising events in aid of The AMMF cancer charity. Some of these have included - charity ladies’ nights, climbing ‘The Three Peaks,’ firewalking, cycle events, bag packs, charity luncheons, and a yearly Christmas ‘Polar Post’ for children. I have also taken on some more serious challenges and been lucky enough to have been joined by my husband, children, and many amazing friends now aptly named as my ‘AndreasAMMFArmy!.’

These epic challenges have included: -

February 2018 – Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

February 2019 – Cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia

February 2020 – Climbing to Everest Base Camp

February 2023 – Cycling 1,000km from Bangkok to Phuket (originally planned for 2021, but delayed twice due to Covid)

March 2024 – Trekking The Inca Trail & Rainbow Mountain in Peru

February 2025 – Cycling 800km Coast to Coast across India

Thanks to the generosity of family, friends, and many local businesses, all these fundraising activities have helped me to raise over £150,000 so far for The AMMF cancer charity which is phenomenal!

I am continuing to have scans every few months and have been told this devastating cancer could come back at any stage, so setting myself these challenges has helped me to stay positive and focused and leads me on to my next big challenge:-

February 2027 – Guatemala 5 Volcano ‘Ring of Fire’ Challenge

My next challenge, will probably be one of the craziest I have done and is definitely not for the faint hearted! I have always had a fascination with Volcanoes since a child, so it seems fitting to take on a challenge that involves them - So I will be hiking some of the highest Volcanoes across Central America!

This area is part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, a horseshoe-shaped zone encircling the Pacific Ocean and is known for its continuous volcanic activity! Our challenge will take place in Guatemala, where we will take on 5 of its infamous volcanoes - Pacaya, Acatenango, Chicabal, Tajumulco and San Pedro. Each Volcano will offer its own individual challenge with Pacaya being an active Volcano and Tajumulco Volcano being the highest point in Central America, standing at over 4,220 metres high! This challenge will also involve us wild camping on two of these Volcanoes and witnessing firsthand the continuing eruption of the Fuego Volcano!

This huge challenge will be even more symbolic to me, as along with my husband Chris and 22 year old son Sam we will also be joined for the first time by our youngest child Ben aged 13! Ben has from a young age, tackled the UK’s highest peaks, but this will be his first significant challenge at altitude and will make this challenge even more memorable for me as it really will be a Sheardown family affair!

We all fund our own places on these challenges, so all the money we raise from our fundraising activities go directly to the AMMF charity. Please keep an eye on this page over the next few months as we will be organising local fundraising events. Any donations big or small would be gratefully received and will help make a difference to this under-funded and neglected cancer Cholangiocarcinoma.

*This challenge was meant to happen in February 2026, but due to some serious health issues that I am experiencing it will now be February 2027!

You can also follow my fundraising adventures via my Facebook page called AndreasAMMFArmy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to ready my story – Andrea #AndreasAMMFArmy

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