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Partners in Purple
It's now four and a half years since I heard the words 'You have pancreatic cancer and it is too advanced for any hope of surgery." I remember my first thoughts were for my husband, Grahame, who only a few weeks before had lost his older brother, Dave to the same disease. I couldn't bear to think of him having to go through what we knew could lie ahead. We were only too aware of the grim statistics: Only 3% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive for more than five years. 1 in 4 people won’t survive a month. 3 in 4 won’t survive for a year.
Mine is a story of hope. I had amazing medical treatment and responded so well to chemotherapy that I was able to undergo surgery in August 2015. By December 2015 I was told that I was cancer free. Soon after I went out and bought a diary for 2016, and looked at all those days that had been given back to us with prayerful gratitude. Our first granddaughter was born soon after my operation and now we have four beautiful granddaughters who bring so much joy and happiness.
Last year, as many of you will know, a small patch of cancer reactivated in the same area. Again, I had a course of radiotherapy, and subsequent scans and tests have shown increasingly positive results. I count my blessings every day.
But I know that I am one of the very fortunate ones. All through this journey we have had so much love and care from family and friends and I know people have coughed up many times to support sponsored events. I'm never going to be running any marathons, but have decided the time is right to try to raise some money to support the work of Pancreatic Cancer UK who offer support in many ways to sufferers and survivors of this horrible disease - and for their loved ones.
So, if you see me in November, there will be lots of purple, including my hair. I'm not putting in hours of training for this, or running in the rain, or depriving myself of anything, so I will be very embarrassed if anyone gives a lot of money. But if you can find a few pounds to support, I will be SO grateful. And many others, who do not yet know that they will one day hear those fearful words, will have real hope that medical knowledge will have advanced significantly to improve their chances of survival.
Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated. I am so grateful and once again reminded of the generosity and compassion of so many people.
I am humbled, heartened and inspired that my sister-in-law Sue is joining me. She tells her own story below.
Chris
This is Chris's sister-in-law Sue. When I heard her plan my first thought was "What a great idea!" and my second was "Can I do it too?" The timing seemed fitting as it will be five years this month since Dave died, fifteen months after his diagnosis which came a few days before our daughter's wedding, and turned our lives upside down. He had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy which gave him precious time that he utilised to the full, carrying on working throughout his illness. We enjoyed holidays on the Norfolk Broads, in Scotland with our daughters and grandchildren, and with Grahame and Chris, on a boat on the Nivernais Canal in France.
When Chris told me that she too had pancreatic cancer it just didn't seem fair. I found it hard to accept and was full of anger, an emotion I'd not experienced during Dave's illness. My girls and I knew how difficult it was going to be for Chris and her family whatever the outcome. We are delighted that she has done so well and I'm proud to be joining her in purple for November.
Taking the theme a step further I have prepared a "purple" quiz sheet to sell to raise funds. I want the odds to change so that there are more stories like Chris's!
Thanks
Sue
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Thank you to my Supporters
£26
Liz & Nico Bekooy
£10.40
Trish Doran
£20
Sue Edmonds
Here are a couple of donations I received before Christmas. Thanks to Gill and to Philip
£10.40
Jenny Wightman
£263.60
Wrekin Products
At the Christmas party last night a collection was made during the meal. It was a lovely gesture and a fitting tribute to Dave. Thanks to everyone for their generosity and kind words.
£10.40
Shelley Broughton
£10.40
Christina Powney
£20.80
Hilary Asoko
Well done Chris and Sue!
£7.28
Tracy & Shang
From Tracy & Shang at Cohens Chemist, Cheadle Heath
£5.20
Lisa Hodgkinson (agate)
For the (nearly) completed quiz!
£10.40
Susan Rogers
£5.20
David Fell
£30
Pool Party
It was my Bridge friend Dave's 70th birthday party yesterday and he challenged his friends to play him at pool and donate if they lost. Also two lovely ladies didn't want to play pool generously donated in return for the quiz. Thanks to them all.
£10.40
Rachel Stylianides
Super fundraising for a great cause. Thanks for the giant purple quiz - we've really enjoyed doing it!
£10
Karen Hayhoe
Well done to an amazing lady x
£26
Alison Lee
You are an inspiration. So much love xx
£41.40
Sue Edmonds
Odds and ends in cash from various sources.
£49.92
Dave & Marilyn
Well done to both of you and keep up the good work!
£26
Bob
Well done Chris
£38
Ashbourne U3a Walking Group
Sales of the Giant Purple Quiz
£104
Marina & Mark
To both of you: well done and thank you for keeping the fight going. All our love xxxxx
£26
Heather Coxon
Money for quiz! Great cause! Well done for all of your hard work!
£69.61
Duffield Rock Choir
Donations and sales of the Giant Purple Quiz
£142.47
Wrekin Products
Money raised from the sale of the Giant Purple Quiz, plus a special Black & White Wrekin Purple Quiz on 19 November.
£5.20
Gillian Thompson
£26
Eve Milner
Well done, Sue. It's a filthy disease and deserves to be beaten xx
£26
Robert Pugh
Every good wish for a successful campaign.
£36.10
Ashbourne U3a Line Dancing Group
Donations and sales of the Giant Purple Quiz.
£104
David Williscroft
£10.40
Lorna Simmonds
£20.80
Bruce Montgomery, Smith Cooper
£10.40
Margaret Jacks
£70.70
Sue Edmonds
Belper Bridge Club - donations and sale of quizzes - £58.50 Plus £12.50 from quizzes sold while having fun with glass (purple of course) yesterday at Foxglass, Curborough Craft Centre
£20.80
Gill & Alan Birks
Really love the purple hair!
£26
Wendy Goddard
Good Idea!
£5.20
Marsha Smith
£100
Anonymous
£5.20
Kate Mape
Looking forward to doing the quiz!
£5
Elizabeth Strutynskyj-stannard
For the quiz! Xx
£25
John Woodward
£20
Brenda Chapman
£20.80
Margaret Williams
Like the look of the Purple Quiz & all in support of a great Cause! Good luck with the fund raising.
£5
Anonymous
£31
Sue Edmonds
Money raised from the Norbury Line Dancing Group for a mini quiz and the Giant Purple Quiz on 14 November. Thanks everyone.
£25
Sally Knight
The colour suits you!
£10.40
Shalini & Naomi
Looking forward to doing the quiz! X
£10.40
Annie
... A quiz, excellent! A purple quiz, absolutely superb. Very happy to support you both in this worthy cause, xxx
£5
Vikki Bourne
Good luck with the fundraiser
£5.20
Laura Farrand
£10
Lisa & Jon Robertson
£10.40
Mary Adams
£10.40
Anonymous
£2.08
Heather Brocklehurst
Thanks for the quiz!!
£3
Carrie Conibere
Excited about the quiz!
£5
Caroline Emerson
£26
Jill Lees
Well done Chris, we think it looks really good!
£25
Sally Morris
£26
Moya Cove
Chris, you are totally inspirational in all that you do and achieve - and we love you! Good luck with the fundraising. Moya and John xx
£25
Jane Carrington King
£26
Angela Dawes
Chris - you are truly inspirational. An amazing story. Well done for raising so much money for a very worthy cause. Bless you.
£26
Carol Johns
God Bless you both!! Xxx
£5.20
Chloe Tooth
Only too happy to support such a worthy cause and charity, the purple hair looks fabulous too! xx
£26
Gabrielle Kelly
£20.80
Caroline Biltcliffe
You look lovely in purple !!
£20.80
Martha Linden
£26
Carol Hodgkins
Chris, as others have said, you're a very inspirational lady and I count myself very lucky to know you!
£11
Anonymous Donation
£26
Paul & Lissy Clarke
Can’t wait to see the purple hair, Chris!! So very grateful for every day we have with you, thank you for all the beauty you bring to our community. Lissy xx
£10.40
Kevin Mchale
£10.40
Tim And Kay Schwersenz
We are very happy to support you in this extremely worthwhile cause Chris. Tim & Kay x
£20.80
Maureen Cullen
£10.40
Emily Dillow
Purple looks great on you Chris! Sending you and the family loads of love and best wishes 💕 xx
£49.92
Nick, Katharine, Emily & Isobel
It suits you!
£26
Linda Wainscot
You ckntinur to be such an inspiration and a blessing.
£52
Sue & John Oxley
We’re happy to support you and this wonderful cause. Looking forward to seeing you and your purple hair. Lots of love from us both xx
£26
Chris Wright
£52
Helen And Tony
You are such an inspiration and we are only too happy to support this wonderful charity. We can’t wait to see your hair! xx
£104
Liz Hanan
You constantly amaze me with your loving and selfless attitude to others .... thank you for everything you do xxx
£26
Mary Baynes
£25
Bernie Smith
£49.92
Yvonne & Jon
Purple is Von’s favourite colour and it is a mixture of claret & blue! 😉
£31.20
Betty Joan Grayland
Best Wishes Chris, can't think of a better cause than supporting those who work tirelessly to stamp out this dreadful decease. Love Bet xxxxxx
£10.40
The Hallidays
Best wishes Chris! x
£50
Sarah Harrison
Can’t wait to see you or some photos! :) Love Charles and Sarah xx
£20
Alison Massey
Dear Chris You are such an inspiration - I look forward to seeing the purple! God bless Ali
£31.20
Helen Bradley
Fantastic cause... of course! I feel like there is a poem about this 🤔😘 Love Helen, John, Freya & Eliza xx
£10.40
Mrs Mia Taylor
Looking forward to seeing the purple hair when we next bump into each other at The Warwickshire! x
£26
Mary James
Good luck Chris with your efforts xx
£52
Claire Kinney
Good luck😁
£5
Ben Tymens
£15.60
Nicole Jackson
Lots of love from the Jackson family x
£20
Helen Greenly
£30
Naomi Slattery
My fabulous mum - we are so proud of you for everything you have been through and all you have done since. You mean the world to us, and we are also thankful for all the days we’ve been gifted. Love you! Jake, Naomi, Jessica and Imogen xxxxxxxxx
£20.80
Kirsteen
Thank you for your friendship and inspiration xx
£20
Ann Goldthorp
£10
Liz Gardner
So fabulous to see you raising money for a fantastic cause. Go purple 🙌💖🙏
£52
Grahame Edmonds
£52
Jane Pollard
So great to support you Chris. Your story is an inspiration!
£25
