Donna's fundraising page

Since 2008 Cancer has been a dark shadow in my life, in one way or another. I had lost several family members to Cancer when I was younger but it was from 2008 when my Dad was diagnosed with Skin Cancer on his arm that I felt the word becoming frequently used in my everyday life. Luckily my Dad had the skin cancer removed and that was that. However my Mom was then diagnosed with a rodent ulcer, a slow growing skin cancer, on her nose in 2010. Luckily Moms cancer did not spread and although Mom had to have a nasty Rhinoplasty operation to have part of her nose regrown she did not need to have any follow up treatment, which was amazing. In 2012, on the lead up to my Sisters’ wedding, the bottom fell out of my world; my Dad was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiform brain tumour. I couldn’t believe it; I was so shocked and devastated. Dad was the one comforting me and my sister. Despite what he was feeling inside he always tried to stay strong for us. Dad was so brave, he had two craniotomy’s, radiotherapy and several bouts of chemo before he succumbed to his illness 23 months after diagnosis. Thinking about those times saddens me greatly, but we packed in a lot of happy times in those 23 months. Dad got to see my sister get married and his first Grandchild born. After my Dad died everything stabilised for a while, then my Uncle Dave, my moms’ brother, began suffering with his breathing. Several trips to Doctors and no real answers, then another blow; Uncle Dave was diagnosed with Grade IV lung cancer. Uncle Dave tackled this in the same way he lived his life, with a smile on his face. Our whole family rallied together, we were determined Dave was going to be one of the Survivors. Sadly this was not to be and we lost Dave in November last year. Two of the most important men in my life taken from me so cruelly and so quickly, there will always be something missing. I remember them every day and carry them in my heart. I’ve lost other relatives to cancer during this period too and I am watching other people I love suffer watching people they love get sick or pass away. I want to raise money for Cancer research in the hope that one day we can eradicate this disease. We all need to work together and fight!!!! 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work, so please sponsor me now. Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK.