Run for Mum

On the 20th May I will be taking part in the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon, my very first.
Some background into my running journey for you. I don’t, well didn’t.
I had always hated running, ever since I was a kid. It’s sad, but I used to hide in the bathrooms at the school Athletics Carnivals because I just couldn’t bear to compete in a race I was destined to come last at, every single time. The 1.6km Fitness Test in High School was the worst day of the year, and even in the last few years I couldn’t run more than a few km without thinking I was dying.

I have decided this year to challenge myself, because I can do this, and I will do this.
For this run, I don’t care if I come last, because I will win at two things.
1. I will be completing the race, that is a win in itself for me
2. I will be fundraising for the David Morris Cancer Research Foundation, which holds extremely close to home for me

I apologize for the length of this post, however, it is important I convey all information to you.
As some of you know, and some don’t, my mum was diagnosed with Appendix Cancer at the end of 2015, where it had spread all through her abdomen, including her Ovaries, Bowel, Spleen and Gal Bladder.
The procedure she had was called a Peritonecomy, introduced in 1995, by Professor Morris where he used to complete 3 a year, and now, he completes approximately 4 a week.
This procedure averages on 12 hours, where all cancer is removed from the abdomen, and then applying HIPEC (“hot chemo”). Following this, she was in hospital for several months, and then underwent various chemo treatments. Whilst she is doing well, a new tumor is of concern, and Professor Morris is talking about trialling her on a new form of procedure to attempt to dissolve it, to hopefully be able to avoid major surgery again. Through his research at UNSW, new trial procedures like this are available, and they can continue to learn about these rare forms of cancer.

It is due to the amazing work of Professor David Morris, Dr Winston Liauw and their team that my mum is still alive, and it is their continuing research that they can continue to save the lives of people like my mum.

Any dollar counts, and I would appreciate anyone who can spare some change please donate to this cause, as I run for Mum.

For more information on Professor Morris and his work, please see below

https://www.rarecancers.org.au/news/3246/prolonging-lives-with-peritonectomy
https://med.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-david-morris
http://www.theleader.com.au/story/4277233/st-george-leading-way-in-life-saving-surgery/