Hello, my name is Claire and I am raising money for my sister Katie.

Katie is 47, but her story started over 20 years ago, with an abnormal smear (pre-cancer cells). Since then she has had many abnormal smears and treatments, each removing more of her cervix. A hysterectomy was on the cards but, as she was only in her 20's the decision was made to hold off until she had opportunity to have a baby. Not long after she did get pregnant, but unfortunately, so much of her cervix had been removed it was insufficient to retain the pregnancy and baby Mia was born at only 22 weeks gestation, which was heart breaking; especially after learning it could have been prevented through a stitch to hold the cervix together.

Katie did have a rainbow baby, my niece Lucy who is about to turn 16, she is completely awesome and during this time, Katie was symptom free.

However, good things never last, and the abnormal results started rolling in, and that brings us to the current problem. This February, after a biopsy was taken Katie began experiencing intense pain - all day every day, and has been unable to work. She is so scarred internally that it takes strong medication to manage the pain. She has had several trips to A&E, scans, and test taken, the conclusion is that along with a surprise ovarian cyst, is that she needs a radical hysterectomy. A radical hysterectomy will remove all ovaries, womb, cervix and part of her vagina. This is necessary to prevent cancer from migrating.

The NHS as we all know is not able to keep up with demand, and waiting list is up to a year.

We are raising money towards the cost if the surgery, which she will be having at Nuffield Hospital in Derby.

Waiting is not an option for Katie, she is in too much pain, and as a single parent she needs to be back at work, and protecting her and Lucy from transitioning to a full cancer diagnosis!

Please can you help me help my sister.