Melina's Duathlon for Dimbleby Cancer Care
I am undertaking a mini Duathlon challenge (20km cycle and 5km run), on Saturday the 5th of December in memory of my Mum and to support Dimbleby Cancer Care. This is an incredible organisation who provided therapy sessions to me during my mother's illness and continue to do so today. Without them I am not sure I would have been able to understand what grief is and how accept it and to eventually live with it.
I lost my mother to a stage 4 diagnosis of lung cancer on November 21st 2019. It was horrendous, it was heart-breaking and it took everything out of me and my family emotionally and mentally. My wonderful Mum spent nearly 2 years trying to stay alive, with many trips for chemo and radiation. All very emotionally and physically draining for her but she kept on going for us, she knew how much we loved her and how much we would miss her. She kept on smiling for us, putting us and our feelings first always, shielding us the inevitable heart wrenching outcome.
The day I found out my mum was ill I decided that she would come before everything and I put my life on hold, including my work, something that is really important to me and defines me in many ways. My mum was now my number one priority. I will never ever regret my decision, I did what was right. Spending every weekend with her and looking after her at my house when she had her chemo weeks. Loving her and caring for her the way she had me for all my life.
I’m sure many of you reading this have seen someone you love deteriorate in front of you - it is without a doubt the most horrific experience and grief is just bloody awful. It doesn’t leave you and I feel crippled inside most of the time. I miss her incredibly every day and she was very much the cornerstone of many of the values I hold close to my heart. She was such a kind and extra sensitive person, always seeing the best in everyone and never ever leaving anyone out. Her generosity was overwhelming. Mum's favourite motto was to always treat others as you would like to be treated; I hope I do that!
Like everything, there are consequences and I have had to start to re-build again in many ways. Trying to smile is sometimes pretty challenging for a start. The world goes on and everyone just carries on living their life while you are grieving and you continue to grieve. The way you consider the world is very different after you experience grief, it's hard to explain but those who have lost someone will know what I mean. Losing your mum is like nothing else.
Please help me raise vital funds for Dimbleby Cancer Care so they can continue to support others that have been affected by cancer; either as a sufferer or a family member. They really need your financial support for this invaluable service.
If you could spare just a small donation it would mean everything to me. I know it’s a challenging time for everyone financially so even a very small token would be overwhelming for me and really appreciated. Sending a lot of love to you all and all your families – love and lots of kindness Mel xxxxxxx
I lost my mother to a stage 4 diagnosis of lung cancer on November 21st 2019. It was horrendous, it was heart-breaking and it took everything out of me and my family emotionally and mentally. My wonderful Mum spent nearly 2 years trying to stay alive, with many trips for chemo and radiation. All very emotionally and physically draining for her but she kept on going for us, she knew how much we loved her and how much we would miss her. She kept on smiling for us, putting us and our feelings first always, shielding us the inevitable heart wrenching outcome.
The day I found out my mum was ill I decided that she would come before everything and I put my life on hold, including my work, something that is really important to me and defines me in many ways. My mum was now my number one priority. I will never ever regret my decision, I did what was right. Spending every weekend with her and looking after her at my house when she had her chemo weeks. Loving her and caring for her the way she had me for all my life.
I’m sure many of you reading this have seen someone you love deteriorate in front of you - it is without a doubt the most horrific experience and grief is just bloody awful. It doesn’t leave you and I feel crippled inside most of the time. I miss her incredibly every day and she was very much the cornerstone of many of the values I hold close to my heart. She was such a kind and extra sensitive person, always seeing the best in everyone and never ever leaving anyone out. Her generosity was overwhelming. Mum's favourite motto was to always treat others as you would like to be treated; I hope I do that!
Like everything, there are consequences and I have had to start to re-build again in many ways. Trying to smile is sometimes pretty challenging for a start. The world goes on and everyone just carries on living their life while you are grieving and you continue to grieve. The way you consider the world is very different after you experience grief, it's hard to explain but those who have lost someone will know what I mean. Losing your mum is like nothing else.
Please help me raise vital funds for Dimbleby Cancer Care so they can continue to support others that have been affected by cancer; either as a sufferer or a family member. They really need your financial support for this invaluable service.
If you could spare just a small donation it would mean everything to me. I know it’s a challenging time for everyone financially so even a very small token would be overwhelming for me and really appreciated. Sending a lot of love to you all and all your families – love and lots of kindness Mel xxxxxxx
Organizer
Melina Jacovou
Organizer
England
The Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund
Beneficiary