How Important is Early Diagnosis?

One of my very first cancer campaigns was “Commit to Beat Cancer” which was all about making sure the UK has the best possible outcomes for cancer patients. I’ve decided to go back to basics with this blog post and explain why early diagnosis is so vital and why it could save your life.

Many of us hate visiting the doctor. This is for a number of reasons. Many of us feel we shouldn’t “bother” our busy GP’s with what we think of as “minor” incidents. Some of us are also terrified of what the doctor may say or do. This needs to change because discovering cancer early could make a huge difference as to how you are treated and whether or not you will survive.

Lots of people still think cancer = death. This is not true. HUGE advances have been made and are still contining to be made every year. For example:

*More then 9/10 men with testicular cancer survive and are cured of the disease.

*More than ¾ of children are surviving cancer compared to ¼ surviving back in the 1960’s.

*The three most common cancers in the UK are breast, bowel and lung cancer and they have all seen their death rates drop to their lowest level in forty years.

*The number of deaths from cancer are continuously dropping

*The number of people surviving cancers such as prostate and skin have dramitcally improved

*The amount of people surviving more then ten years after a cancer diagnosis has DOUBLED over the past three decades

*The number of people surviving more then five years after a cancer diagnosis is now HALF of all cancer patients

*For cancers with low overall survivial rates, early diagnosis does still mean chances of beating the disease are higher.

Knowing Your Body

I have said this time and time again but knowing what is “normal” for you and your body is massively important. Knowing what is normal makes it easier to know when something isn’t quite right. It makes it easier to know when a consistent change is occurring and it will hopefully lead to you seeking medical advice quicker. Examples of getting to know your body include:

MEN – check your testicles at least once a month. Get to know how they feel; their size, their shape etc…..

LADIES – Check your breasts once a month to get to know what is “normal” for you and to check for any new and unexpected lumps, bumps and changes

EVERYONE - It may sound crude, but get to know your toilet habits. Know what is normal for you. Do you go twice a day or twice a week for example?

REMEMBER IF A CHANGE LASTS MORE THEN THREE WEEKS – GET TO YOUR GP!!!!

Visiting the Doctor

Do not EVER worry about wasting your GP’s time. You are not. If you are genuinely concerned about your body or your health then it is your GP’s job to check it out and reassure you. They are there to help, they are there to provide support and they are there to look after you. No ailment is too small!

Don’t be too scared to visit your GP. Remember, most of the time it will be absolutely nothing to worry about. It is ALWAYS best to get seen as soon as possible because it is always best to catch something as early as possible. If you are really nervous then take someone you trust with you.

Don’t ever feel embarrassed about talking to your doctor. They have probably seen and heard it all. They are also duty bound to keep everything confidential so whatever happens will not leave the room. If you feel more comfortable seeing a male or female doctor then just let the admin staff know and they will sort that out for you. A doctor will never be shocked by what you have to say or show, they will never laugh at you or make you feel uncomfortable – they are professionals trained to look after you.

Don’t use the excuse of being “too busy” to visit the doctor. Many surgeries now offer early morning or late evening appointments to help those with full on timetables.

If you feel you will forget all your worries and questions when you enter the doctor’s room then try and write as much as you can down before you go. That way you can make sure you tell them everything.

If you have already seen the doctor but are still worried then go back and see them again! Trust your instincts.

After Seeing the Doctor

The next step will depend on your symptoms and whether your doctor feels you need more investigations. They may just reassure you that things are ok and that you have nothing to worry about. They may be able to diagnose your problem and treat it themselves with a prescription. They may say for you to come back in a few weeks if things persist. Or they may refer you for more tests. Whatever happens, do follow your doctor’s advice and do get a second opinion if you feel you want/need one.

I can’t stress just how important it is to know your body and to go to the doctor if you feel something isn’t right. If, heaven forbid, you are diagnosed with cancer then finding it early could mean less treatment or it could mean you are able to survive the disease.

xxx

Cancer Campaigns Ambassador Showcase - Neil Ranasinghe

Happy Bank Holiday everyone! Time is just flying – can’t believe we are at the end of August and the end of summer! My favourite time of year is approaching. I absolutely love September-December – so many fun things to do.

Time for another Ambassador showcase. Today’s post features one of our funniest and most friendly ambassadors –Neil Ranasinghe.

Neil is CRUK Campaigns Ambassador for Enfield and is lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful ladies – his lovely wife and two adorable daughters.

One of Neil’s daughters was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) back in 2004 and bravely fought the disease and successfully kicked its butt after two years of treatment. The experience inspired Neil to help others in the same situation. As well as being a very proud and vocal ambassador, he is also a passionate champion of the “Little Stars” awards in which CRUK recognise the bravery shown by young cancer patients. In fact Neil’s hard work with the awards led to him, rightfully, being recognised as “Ambassador of the Year 2011” at the CRUK Flame of Hope Awards. On top of all that Neil is also part of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group and has written many thoughtful articles.

Neil is one of our funniest ambassadors. He is very witty and always knows what to say to others. He is a very strong and vocal member of our group and we are very lucky to have him. He is full of knowledge and comes up with questions that I would never think to ask.

I can’t imagine how it would feel to watch your child go through something as horrific as cancer and I am continuously amazed at how much strength Neil must have to continue to work hard for Cancer Research UK and CCLG to help other people in the same situation. That is a very special kind of courage and not everyone possesses it. After watching his daughter beat the disease, you wouldn’t blame Neil for avoiding the “C word” for the rest of his days. Instead he faces it full on with a sense of humour and a focus on beating this horrific disease.

As I mention all the time – our ambassador family is full of incredibly brave and special people – our Neil is just one of the people working hard in his spare time to make a real difference in the fight against cancer. Enfield – you’re in good hands!

To read more about the CCLG – please click here http://www.cclg.org.uk/contact-magazine/summer-2011/feeling-different-a-dad-s-view

To read more about the Little Stars Awards – please click here http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/little_star_awards/do-you-know-a-little-star

Cancer Research Ambassador Showcase: Clive Barley

Happy Friday everyone!!

A very special blog post today, about someone who has quickly become a friend and an inspiration to me. As you all know I am doing Shine for Cancer Research UK at the end of September and my inspiration for doing this is Clive Barley, my fellow Cancer Research UK Ambassador.

I first discovered Clive on Twitter and quickly realised he was a running enthusiast. I was lucky enough to meet him at the June lobby of Parliament and realised that Clive is a lovely man.

Nine years ago, Clive was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Thankfully he survived the disease and now dedicates huge chunks of his time to Cancer Research UK. Not only is he a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador, he is also a keen fundraiser and is now the “poster boy” for the “Spot Cancer Early” campaign in the North West of England.

Clive discovered he had cancer after finding blood in his stool. He was reluctant to go to the doctor at first but he did go and he was diagnosed early enough to give him the best shot at fighting the disease and winning. Clive is hoping to encourage others to know the signs and to visit their doctor if they feel something is up.

Not only is Clive doing all that, he is also busy training for the Great North Run AND was a very very enthusiastic volunteer during the recent Olympics. In fact it was Clive who got me into the Games with his enthusiasm and excitement for them.

So if you live in the North East, please do keep an eye out for posters of my lovely friend and EVERYONE should take Clive’s advice and stay vigilant when it comes to your body. It could save your live just like it saved Clive’s.

I rant and rave about how brilliant it is to be a volunteer for CRUK and meeting Clive is just one of the fantastic perks of the role. I have made a brilliant, supportive and enthusiastic friend. I hope to do more projects with Clive in the future.

Good luck with the GNR Clive!!! Xx

Stand Up to Cancer

Hi Guys!

Hope everyone is well!

I have heard something VERY exciting today and wanted to share it all with you! Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 are standing up to cancer with a very special telethon!

This was started in the USA by the Entertainment Industry Foundation and it’s main aim is to raise money into ground-breaking research which will “accelerate new cancer treatments” this means the new treatments will be available to patients much quicker and will save more lives.

As well as raising money – Stand Up to Cancer will also raise awareness and build new support meaning we get closer to beating cancer and making it a thing of the past.

Take a look at this video and see some of the amazing people getting behind this brilliant event!

http://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/stand-cancer-channel-4-and-cancer-research-uk

Please visit the website to find out more and make sure you follow them on Twitter and Facebook!

I’m Standing up to Cancer with Stand up to Cancer – are you?

www.standuptocancer.org.uk

@StandUp2C

http://www.facebook.com/standuptocancerUK

xxx

Cancer Research UK Ambassador Liam Ronan: Rowing the Big Sea

Time for another Cancer Research UK Campaigns Ambassador showcase everyone! This time it's one of my more daring fellow ambassadors - Liam Ronan.

Liam is twenty seven years old and is passionate supporter of Cancer Research UK and works very as an Ambassador. He is also gearing up for a huge challenge which is taking place during the last week of September.

A year ago, Liam was sitting in a Holborn pub and got chatting to three other men - Kieran Lynch, Jim O'Malley and George Adams. They all decided to raise money for charity by rowing the Channel together, despite never having rowed before. That's 350 miles. In the sea. In a little boat. For charity.

These four men have bonded and trained really hard for over a year now and are preparing to complete the challenge in just a few weeks time. The Olympics have really spurred them on and inspired them to push themselves hard. They aim to get from Dover to Calais in just six hours and raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK and the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

I'm terrified of the sea. I'm also quite lazy. I am in awe of anyone who can train hard enough to complete a challenge like this. I am in awe of anyone who can get into a little rowing boat and sit on it in the deep blue sea for hours and hours. These men are incredible and deserve our support.

Please spare any cash you can and sponsor Liam and his friends - show them some support for their epic challenge. www.justgiving.com/thebigsea

Follow them on Twitter @rowingthebigsea

Good luck Liam, Kieran, Jim and George!!!!

xxx

Volunteer Meet Up - The Details!

Hi all, 

Before I start I would just like to send lots of love to someone special who lost their dad on Wednesday. I'll do a proper post about it tomorrow.

SO! The details of the Christmas CRUK volunteer tweet up are now confirmed!!!

Nancy Scott and I will be holding a meet up at The Slug and Lettuce in  London's South Bank - next to the London Eye- on Friday 7th December 2012 from 7pm onwards.

All Cancer Research UK volunteers, staff and interns are more then welcome to attend!

Please do let Nancy or myself know if you would like to attend or if you have any questions! 

Cancer Research UK is a fantastic charity and it does amazing things. There are HUNDREDS of people who donate their spare time to help the charity raise funds, raise awareness and help to save thousands of people from cancer. Twitter has allowed me to meet and bond with so many amazing people linked with the charity and Nancy and I think its about time we had a little get together!

So save the date and we hope to see you there!

@CRUKWalton and @pennysophia25

xxxx

Cancer Research UK Volunteer Meet-Up

I seem to go on and on about how fantastic it is to be a volunteer for Cancer Research UK so I won’t go into too much detail about it. The charity freely admits that it wouldn't be half as successful as it is without the help of the THOUSANDS of volunteers that donate their time all year round.

The magic of twitter has allowed me to form bonds with so many different CRUK volunteers from all walks of life and from various places across the UK. I have been lucky enough to meet quite a few of them but there are many that I am yet to say hello to in the flesh. So I have decided to try and get as many CRUK volunteers in one room as possible!

Christmas is probably my favourite time of the year. I love the build up to it as well. I think it is a perfect time to get everyone together to celebrate the bloody hard work we have done this year, all in aid of a charity we love. It may seem a long time away yet but the year is quickly flying past and I thought I would get in there quick and make a reservation somewhere!

So if you are a CRUK volunteer and would like to come and meet everyone else and celebrate a year of success then please let me know!

Dates and times will be confirmed within the next few days!

If you would like to get involved then please do email me pennychristophe@googlemail.com OR tweet me @pennysophia25

xxx

Plain Packaging - The Final Days of the Campaign

Happy Thursday everyone!

Tomorrow is the FINAL day of the campaign I have been helping with since January. Seven and a half months worth of hard work have gone into this project, not just from me, but from everyone involved. We campaigned, we’ve collected signatures, we’ve lobbied parliament, we’ve written letters, we’ve spoken to thousands of people and we’ve researched information.

The important thing to remember about this campaign is that a lot of the campaigning has been done by volunteers like me. We are members of the public who genuinely believe in the work of Cancer Research UK. We are people who do this work in our spare time for no financial gains whatsoever. You have to really believe in something to be willing to dedicate hours and hours of your spare time to a cause, especially when you have a busy career, a family to take care of and an everyday life to lead. That dedication is a powerful tool. It means the work we do is genuinely done because we believe in what we are doing. We are people who have been affected by cancer and want to help prevent our experiences happening to others.

The other thing to remember is that the tobacco companies have spent a hell of a lot of money on opposing this campaign. Why would they do that if they were not worried that plain packaging would be a threat to their profits? Two million pounds was spent by JTI alone. Tobacco companies are not allowed to advertise their products anymore. Gone are the days where a Benson and Hedges advert would loom down on you from one of those massive billboards whilst you’re stuck in traffic. They have to rely on other means of enticing smokers. Packets are one of them. Cigarette packets have become increasingly glitzy in the past few years. Our campaign “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” has also proven tricky for tobacco companies because now cigarettes are hidden away in larger retailers.

Thousands and thousands of smokers die every year. The tobacco companies need to replace these smokers with new ones to keep making a profit. This means they need to attract young people into smoking. Packaging helps with that. It is important to note that Imperial Tobacco refuse to agree to the SCIENTIFCALLY PROVEN link between smoking tobacco and lung cancer. This to me proves that they do not care about their customers. It shows they are more interested in their profits then they are the health of the people buying them. This also shows that they can be ecomomic with the truth, making their evidence untrustworthy in my opinion.

Smoking is a lifestyle choice. One that I try to understand and respect. If you know of the dangers and choose to carry on smoking then that is entirely your prerogative and I wish you well. I sincerely hope you are in the very small minority that’s doe not get ill. But the fact remains that smoking is a dangerous habit and children should be encouraged to not take up smoking at all in the first place. The tobacco industry refers to children and young people as “pre smokers”, a fact I find rather disgusting. Most smokers I know would hate for their children to smoke.

If you believe plain packaging won’t put young people off smoking then think of your time at school. Imagine your mum put an ASDA own brand can of cola into your lunchbox instead of a Coca-Cola can, would you not have been slightly embarrassed by it? It’s the same logic with cigarettes – some are cooler then others. We all know how much image means when you are young. Smoking a certain brand of cigarettes will mean something. Taking the branding away will take that image away. No one will look cooler then anyone else if everyone has the same packet.

A comment I hear frequently is “if you’re doing this to tobacco, why not to alcohol?”. I have my own opinion on this. Certain types of Alcohol, in moderation, can have some health benefits whereas there are NO benefits to smoking. Absolutely none. It makes your hair, skin and clothes smell. It ages your skin. It discolours your teeth and nails. It damages your insides. It rots your teeth. It leads to a whole host of life threatening illnesses. Not to mention the damage it will do to your bank account.

Another argument of the tobacco companies is that it will lead to a “nanny state” well to paraphrase my fellow ambassador David Collins – if being part of a nanny state means I will help save peoples lives then I’m all for it. I do believe people should live their lives as they want (unless it is an illegal lifestyle that is) but I do think tobacco companies manipulate people into a certain way of thinking and I believe this should be stopped. That isn’t being a nanny – that is looking out for people. Cancer is a horrible illness and people should be encouraged to be aware of the lifestyle choices that can increase their risk of a diagnosis.

I think I have bored people silly with information about this campaign so I will end this post here. Please do have a think about plain packaging and please do sign the petition at the side of the page if you do want to help us persuade the government to introduce it. It WILL be beneficial to public health and it WILL save thousands of young people from taking up a habit that could end up killing them.

The Answer is Plain.

Thank you

xxx

More Posts About the Campaign:
http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/lifestyle-choices-smoking.html

http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/all-things-plain-packaging.html

http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/new-cancer-research-uk-campaign-answers.html

http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/westminster.html

The Amazing Cancer Research UK

I think the world knows of my great passion for Cancer Research UK by now. I am immensely proud to be part of such an incredible charity. I have learnt so much about the charity since becoming involved and I thought I should share this knowledge with you. You never know, it may ignite a passion within you too!

The History:

The Cancer Research Fund was set up on July 4^th 1902 by a concerned group of doctors and surgeons eager to do something to help ease the suffering caused by cancer. At the time there were no independent UK institutions dedicated to researching the causes and treatment of cancer and the fund became the first UK specialist cancer research charity. It was soon renamed the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF).

The first labs were set up in Victoria and in five years they gained four research scientists, six volunteers’ scientific workers and fourteen lab technicians. The ICRF continued to grow and moved to several premises over the years. The ICRF funded research into cancer all across the UK and were working hard to understand the “nuts and bolts” of cancer.

During the 1920’s, a group of medical professionals and scientists decided to focus more on the clinical research side of things and they formed a new charity which was named the British Empire Cancer Campaign but was later renamed the Cancer Research Campaign. In 2002, the CRC and then ICRF merged to form Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK now has five institutes across the UK: London, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester and Glasgow. They also fund a massive range of cancer research projects in many different labs, universities and hospitals across the UK. They are currently developing some “Centres of Excellence” in many major UK cities.

Who, What and Why:

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity specifically dedicated to beating cancer by researching it. Their main aim is to make sure more people are able to survive cancer. They support the work of over four thousand researchers throughout the UK and cutting edge discoveries are made every day.

Cancer Research UK also run high profile campaigns to help make the general public more aware of their health and to help educate people and help them understand cancer. This helps make sure people know how to reduce their risk of developing cancer. Cancer Research UK also lobby’s government to make sure cancer stays at the top of the political agenda (this is where I come in!!)

In May 2007, Cancer Research UK set themselves ten goals for the next decade:

*People will know how to reduce their risk of cancer

*The number of smokers will fall dramatically

*People under seventy five will be less likely to get cancer

*Cancer will be diagnosed earlier

*We will understand how cancer starts and develops

*There will be better treatments with fewer side effects

*More people will survive cancer

*We will especially tackle cancer in low income communities

*People with cancer will get the information they need

*We will continue to fight cancer beyond 2020

Progress:

Cancer Research UK and their supporters have already started to ensure that cancer is prevented, diagnosed and treated a lot better then it was years ago. Survival rates have doubled in the past four decades and several tens of thousands of possible cancer cases have been prevented.

Cancer ResearchUK played a vital role in the development of tamoxifen which is used to save the lives of thousands of breast cancer patients, temozolomide which is used worldwide to treat brain tumour patients and carboplatin which is one of the most successful cancer drugs ever created.

Myself and my fellow ambassadors have also played a role in helping CRUK dramatically increase the number of lives saved by radiotherapy and we have also played key roles in the huge progress we are making to prevent people from smoking and developing lung cancer which is estimated to prevent FORTY THOUSAND deaths by 2018.

Cancer Research UK has also made huge progress against skin cancer by getting the government to make the use of sunbeds illegal for fewer than eighteens whilst creating screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer. All of this helps to save THOUSANDS of lives every year in the UK.

This is crazy when you consider Cancer Research UK receives NO government funding. All of this is done with the help of the millions of supporters across the UK. That pound you put in a collection box, that £5 you sponsor someone for Race for Life, that badge you purchase….it all goes to ensuring lives are saved across the UK.

Cancer Research UK is an amazing charity. The people that work there are some of the nicest people I have ever met. The scientists, the staff, the campaigners, the volunteers and everyone else involved with the charity do incredible things. I am very lucky to be allowed to do such brilliant things with such inspirational people. It is a very special feeling to know you are part of something that will change people’s lives. Some of my proudest moments have arisen because of the charity and some of the best people in my life have been introduced to me through the charity. 

If you would like to find out more about Cancer Research UK or to find out how you can support the charity, please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

Together, we will beat cancer

xxx

Justine Sheils – Sunsmart

Happy Friday everyone!

Today’s post features another of my fantastic fellow CRUK Ambassadors. This time it’s the very glamorous Olympic Torchbearer Justine Sheils. Justine is a skin cancer survivor and she dedicated a lot of her spare time to educating people on the dangers of skin cancer and encourages people to become “Sunsmart”. Justine is a fabulous supporter for CRUK and is a previous winner of the “Ambassador of the Year” award at the Flame of Hope awards.

Justine was a sun worshiper for most of her life. She developed a sunbed habit when she was about fifteen years old and she slowly became obsessed by having a tan. Like many women, she felt better when she was brown. Eventually her habit caught up with her and she was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Justine worries that people are not properly aware of how dangerous and serious malignant melanoma is. She says: “People’s perceptions of skin cancer are it’s a spot and it can be removed, but it isn’t”

Justine has a bump that resembled a wart. It would crust, pus and then dry up. It got blacker as time went on. Justine didn’t think she would ever develop skin cancer, that sort of thing happens to other people, not her. But it did. She had to have cancer removed from her chest, then her back and then her head.

Justine has, thankfully, made a full recovery and now lives a “sunsmart” lifestyle. She bravely shares her story to discourage others from endangering themselves. Using sunbeds before you’re thirty five will increase your chances of developing malignant melanoma by 75%. This is a massive, shocking statistic that I urge you to think of every time the sunbed calls you. There are brilliant fake tans available now and if you really must be brown; fake it!!!!

Here are a few tips for being “Sunsmart”:

Sunburn – Sunburn is a sign that your genetic material (DNA) has been damaged by UV radiation from the sun or sunbeds. Damaged DNA will cause your cells to start multiplying out of control and this can lead to skin cancer. The painful symptoms you suffer whilst sunburnt are your body’s attempts to repair the damage that has been caused. Getting sunburnt one very two years can TRIPLE your risk of the most serious type of skin cancer – melanoma. Peeling occurs when your body tries to get rid of cells that have become so damaged that they have to be destroyed. It is important to remember that you can still burn on cooler days so it is vital to wear SPF as much as possible – especially on your face.

Sunscreens – Cancer Research UK recommend using a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least fifteen and that protects you against UVA rays. It is important to remember that sunscreens expire after about 2-3 years so always check the expiry date! For sunscreen to be effective you needed to do the following things:

*Apply to clean and dry skin

*Apply liberally – around two spoonsful are good if you are covering your heads arms and neck but two tablespoons is good for covering your entire body whilst wearing a swimming costume.

* Reapply regularly, especially after swimming. Sunscreen can easily come off, especially if you are sweating. Even waterproof sunscreen needs to be reapplied throughout the day.

* Use sunscreen along with clothes, a hat and try to sit in shade as often as possible to avoid sunburn.

*Avoid keeping sunscreen in hot places as heat can ruin the protective chemicals.

Covering Up – You are more protected if you cover up more skin. Materials with a close weave offer the best protection as they block out the most UV rays. However, when clothes are wet, they stretch and allow more waves to get through. For example, a wet cotton T-shirt may only offer you HALF the protection of a dry one. Hats are an excellent way of protecting your face, your eyes and your head. A wide brim one is the best kind. Sunglasses are good but they must have a statement to say they offer 100% UV protection or a UV 400 label to offer you proper protection. The wraparound style are the best (just ask my dad, he has some!!)

Shade – UV rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm. You need to be extra vigilant about protecting yourself against the sun during this time. You can find shade with lots of different things, for example, trees and foliage, umbrellas and canopies.

Working Outdoors – People who frequently work outdoors have about three to four times more UV exposure then people working indoors. Your employers have a legal obligation to protect your health and safey, including your exposure to UV rays and your risk of skin cancer. This is due to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974. To protect yourself, you should try and find some shade to work in between 11 and three during the summer months and try and spend your break times out of the sun. Wearing a protective had and sunglasses where possible should be done and applying sunscreen is a must.

 I hope this information persuades you to give up the sun. We all know having a tan is a confidence boost but faking it really should be your only option. Skin cancer can be very aggressive and is does affect a lot of people. Please do consider becoming “Sunsmart” it could save your life.

To find out more about “Sunsmart” please visit http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/

To read my blog post about skin cancer and the dangers of tanning please click http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/lifestyle-choices-tanning.html

To follow Justine on Twitter, her username is @js5471

xxx

Emma and Paulie's Fundraising Mission

My lovely friend and colleague Emma Smith sadly lost her mum to cancer almost ten years ago. Emma and her boyfriend Paulie have become very passionate fundraisers for cancer charities, particularly the Isabel Hospice, the place that took great care of Emma’s mum.

They both run to raise money, with Paulie completing the London Marathon in April and Emma currently training for her third Great North Run. They also put on quiz nights and various other events to raise money throughout the year.

At the moment they are selling raffle tickets to raise money for the hospice. Prizes currently include:

*Two guest list tickets to Fabric

*A hair cut at the Lily Maila Salon

*£40 bar tab at The Slaughtered Lamb and so much more.

Tickets are £1 and ALL proceeds will be going to the Isabel  Hospice.

The hospice provides completely free care throughout eastern Herfordshire. They have a team of specialist community nurses and they provide a day hospice, family support services, an in-patient hospice and a bereavement service. They have a brilliant team of fully trained volunteers to support their medical team and everyone is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and calm environment for patients and their loved ones.

To find out more about the hospice please visit http://www.isabelhospice.org.uk/

To sponsor Emma for the Great North Run please visit http://www.justgiving.com/emsGNR2012

If you would like to buy some raffle tickets then please let me know!

xxx

Leap For Love

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I come from a female dominant family. I am one of five girls (my poor only brother!!) and I have always had very strong female role models, for example my mum, my stepmum, my aunties, my older cousin, my grandmothers and most recently my mother in law. I have been brought up to believe that women can achieve anything and that being a female should be celebrated.

I recently came into contact with a lovely lady named Laura Sale. Laura is thirty two years old and is currently battling breast cancer. She has shown tremendous bravery throughout her battle and has somehow found the time and energy to create a charity event to raise money for Breast Cancer Care despite going through an incredibly grueling and intense period of chemotherapy sessions.

Over two hundred women will be meeting on Brighton beach on Sunday 9^th September to skinny dip for breast cancer. It will be a female only event with no publicity and the aim is to have women of all shapes and sizes celebrating their bodies and the wonder of the female form. Don’t worry if you’re a little nervous about showing your bits in public as Laura will be choosing a secluded part of the beach to minimise the number of people seeing.

Sadly, most of us know someone that has suffered from breast cancer at some point. This life-affirming event is in celebration of these brave and beautiful ladies. Whether you’re a size six or a size sixteen, we need to celebrate our bodies! You can run into the sea, crawl in, leap in or stumble in. You can have a swim or dash in and out quickly. Every single woman taking part will be celebrated and encouraged whilst raising money for a fantastic cause.

If this event sounds like something you are interested in then please email Laura on leapforlove@gmail.com. If you don’t want to take part but would like to sponsor the ladies involved then please visit www.justgiving.com/leapforlove.

xxx