Anika's Giving Page

My mum's story: Walk for Hope On the 21st September 2019 With the support of my son, daughter, three nieces and my friends we are walking at Shine Night Walk in the fight to beat cancer.(1/2 a marathon ) We all have friends or family members with cancer or have lost the battle to cancer . I became aware of cancer 30yrs ago when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Since then we have lost 10 members of our friends & family including my mother to cancer and a few who are in remission.My biggest inspiration has been my big sister Bhamini (Munna) 63 yrs old who fought breast cancer over five years ago. She underwent a Mastectomy,Chemotherapy,hair loss, fatigue, yet she still bounced back to care for our elderly parents while in remission. In November 2018 her health started to deteriorate.While caring for our parents she was again diagnosed with womb cancer.Sadly we lost both our parents within a week of each other mum on the 5th and dad the 12th of January 2019. My sister refused the treatments during the mourning period.Finally in February 2019 had a major hysterectomy followed by radiotherapy. She had a lot of support from friends and family ,specially her children and grand children. Due to her immune system being low she contracted shingles and was again very weak for 3-4 weeks but never once complained always smiling and immaculately dressed and willing to cook meals for others.She has recently had her first of four sessions of chemotherapy with a heavy dose of steroids. In addition to a loss of appetite, tiredness,sciatica pain and lack of sleep, her hair started to fall out so with a big smile and a brave face, for a second time, she asked her son to shave it all off. You have faced many challenges in life and I have seen you fight and come out on top. You are a warrior, inspiration and undeniably courageous. You will come out on top and give hope to all those going through cancer to have faith, fight and never give up. Your motto has always been ‘What will be will be but take one step at a time and look ahead. Love you always Xx Everyone knows at least one person who has suffered from cancer in their life time. I have known a few, but the person I am most doing this walk for is my masi (aunt). She has beat cancer once before and is currently undergoing treatment to beat it again. She is one of the strongest people I know and her strength and determination is truely inspiring. So this is for her.