TVs and Toys for Cancer Wards

Hello! My name is Sandy and I am writing this on behalf of my daughter, Sharon.

But first a brief overview of the background to this fundraiser:

In 2022 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma. Though the tireless efforts of the incredible team at East Surrey Hospital, I managed to go into remission. I stayed in remission for close to a year, but then was re-diagnosed in December 2023. More treatment with the amazing teams both at East Surrey and the Royal Marsden meant that I went into remission again, but sadly not for long. May 2024 brought my third diagnosis and in patient treatment at the Royal Marsden in Surrey.

Sharon's way of coping, aside from fussing and cooking, has been to try and do things to benefit others. In January this year she had an estimated 16 inches cut off her hair and donated it to the Little Princess Trust so it can be used to make a wig for a child suffering with hair loss due to illness. Her niece, my grand-daughter, did the same earlier in the year. We are all so proud of her and the 19 inches of her beautiful, thick, curly hair that she had cut off and donated.

Fast forward to February and the morning after a what I understand was a rather well lubricated night out with her best friend, Sharon calls me with her next plan. She is going to run a half marathon and use this as a way to raise funds for the Haematology wing at East Surrey's hospital so they can replace one of the near broken TVs in the unit. In her own words "I will likely not run it, but stagger around in confusion until someone points me in the direction of the finish line many hours later!" We agreed that it would be a good effort no matter her completion time, and that it was a lovely idea that the hospital would be grateful for.

Zipping forward in time once again, we land in June when I was at the Royal Marsden for much longer than planned due to a few minor complications. I missed my grandchildren immensely, and as soon as I was well enough, my daughter Charlotte brought the children to visit. As they are under 12yrs old, they were unable to come to the ward to visit - which is far too medical for it not to have been a worry for them anyway. One of the other patients suggested that we take them to Maggie's, which is a building on the Marden's grounds where you can meet with family in a much nicer setting. As an aside, they also offer wonderful information sessions, assistance in a range of matters, and a good cup of tea and biscuit!

Maggie's is run by volunteers and largely funded by donations. Upon hearing this, Sharon has decided to double her fundraising target and see if she can make enough to add to the toy chest so that when other people's children or grandchildren need a distraction from all the worry, they can find some exciting new bits to play with.

Because of the rules where she lives surrounding charity and asking for donations, I am putting this page together for her. We both hope that this is successful and that we can fulfil her wonderful ideas.

Let's end this rather long post with a word from Sharon herself:

"Hi All! As you know, I am critically unfit and so this is going to be a challenge akin to some of you hiking a mountain! A bit dramatic, but a) I am, and b) it's fairly accurate! I would love if you could give as generously as you can, noting of course that every one's financial situation is different. Please do not feel any pressure. Every Dollar, Dirham or Pound will be very gratefully received and will add up towards the end (rather ambitious) goal! The "race" is taking place on September 8th - my 45th birthday, in Dorking. I am funding all flights and hotels myself, so all money raised will go towards either East Surrey or the Marden's Maggie's. Thank you in advance!"