On Saturday, I’m running an ultramarathon around Windermere.

75km (47 miles). 2700m (8800ft) elevation.

This is going to be the hardest physical challenge of my life and preparing for it has been tough.

As such, I would like to try to raise some money and will split this evenly between two causes linked to communities that are very special to me. Any donations or messages of support would be really appreciated – I’m nervous!

Val’s Journey:

In February 2014 Valerie Coulson, was diagnosed with stage three C primary peritoneal cancer and informed that she had between three months and two years to live. At this stage she was informed this was an incurable diagnosis. She went on to have three sessions of chemotherapy followed by a major debulking operation to remove the remaining cancer, and three more sessions of chemotherapy. Valerie was, and still is, allergic to the form of chemotherapy that she needs for her cancer and therefore the sessions could last up to 9 hours as the nurses had to deliver the medicine slowly in line with an antihistamine in order for her body to accept it. If not, she had a severe allergic reaction causing her extreme pain and discomfort whilst also going into anaphylactic shock.

She was fortunate enough for a more positive outcome than initially expected, and went into remission for 21 months. Unfortunately in March 2016, the family were informed Valerie’s cancer was beginning to show signs of returning and was offered the opportunity to enrol upon a drugs trial which she did. She had been monitored throughout her time upon the trial but upon a visit to clinic, at St. James Oncology, she was informed that she was to be removed from the trial as the cancer was now at a progressive stage and therefore immediate chemotherapy was required. She then underwent another 6 cycles of Chemotherapy and monitored closely with three weekly visits to St. James Hospital, as with Ovarian cancer it is always expected to return which it did.

Research states that it is estimated that over 2,500 women would benefit from Avastin every year – a drug no longer available on the NHS since 2015. Avastin isn't a cure but it can extend lives by up to two years! Valerie self funded Avastin through fundraising and it gave her 42 months of the cancer being kept at bay until February of this year.

Unfortunately as it has returned in 2023, Valerie has accessed a gruelling 6 cycles of chemotherapy once again. This time the family have been informed that even after the positive response from Avastin, previously, she cannot have the drug funded through the NHS and so the family are set to fund raise once again to recommence this treatment and access to the drug.

The family have sought second opinion from cancer specialists at the Christie hospital in Manchester who agree the treatment works for her but without access it's a waiting game until the cancer returns which is expected within the year if they cannot raise the funds.

Kailend:

A dynamic, forward thinking social enterprise striving to engage, empower and educate impoverished communities in West Africa. Founded by Samuel (Sammy) Sarr, one of the inaugural Obama Leaders of Africa, the organisation has grown to support women and children through education, skills development, and business opportunities. Sammy is financially supported by his family, so every penny of your donation will go towards the incredible work that he does. I met Sammy in West Africa before he founded Kailend and have visited Ghana and Togo to support him seeing the impact Kailend has had first hand.