Hello! Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page! As some of you already know, towards the end of 2024, I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Thanks to the incredible care and support from our amazing NHS, I am fortunate enough to be able to say that I am now cancer-free!

A huge thank you to my family and friends, whose support during this journey has meant the world to me. I truly couldn’t have made it through without you. I also received support from several fantastic charities, including the Ella Dawson Foundation, Teens Unite, Young Lives vs Cancer, the Willow foundation, Macmillan, and The Alexandra Sales Trust - all of which I am incredibly grateful for. Having access to this support made me realise just how crucial it is, and it has inspired me to give back in any way I can.

Choosing a charity to fundraise for has been a big decision, and after much thought, I’ve decided to support two charities: OUTpatients, the UK's only LGBTQI+ cancer charity, and The Eve Appeal, a leading gynaecological cancers charity.

Supporting OUTpatients

https://outpatients.org.uk/

OUTpatients started in 2020, making it a relatively young organisation, and this is why I’m so keen to support them. When I first came across OUTpatients, I was surprised to learn that it was the only queer-specific cancer charity in the UK, and even more surprised that it was such a new initiative.

For LGBTQI+ people, the cancer journey may come with additional challenges, often due to a lack of awareness and understanding of queer identities and queer people's specific needs. These barriers can make an already difficult experience even more isolating and challenging, particularly for those who lack a familial support system, which is unfortunately more common within the queer community. OUTpatients is crucial because it provides tailored support for queer individuals navigating cancer, ensuring that no one has to face these barriers alone.

As a patient-led organisation, OUTpatients strives to transform cancer care into a more inclusive environment for LGBTQI+ individuals through a multi-layered approach: peer support, education, and bespoke resource production. I am very keen to help OUTpatients grow and continue offering support to LGBTQI+ individuals facing cancer, ensuring that everyone gets the care and understanding they deserve during such difficult times.

To support this charity, I'm planning to host a fundraising event towards the end of 2025 (maybe a raffle/art exhibition). The details for this will be confirmed later so keep your eyes peeled ! ;)

Supporting The Eve Appeal

https://eveappeal.org.uk/

The Eve Appeal aims to make sure gynaecological cancers are detected early whilst also aiming to prevent them from developing in the first place. Considering that in the UK, gynaecological cancers receive just 5% of cancer research funding, supporting this cause is crucial.

To support this charity, I'll be doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks 24 mile Trek in September for which I need to raise £350.

Since I’ve achieved my initial goal of raising £1000, I’m now determined to raise as much as I can for these two charities – it’s my way of ensuring something positive comes from my experience. So, if you would like to/are able to donate, I would be extremely grateful!! You can choose which charity you would like to donate to - every contribution, no matter the size, will be much appreciated and will help these charities grow and continue their vital work.

Thank you so much for your support, I am very very grateful!!