Chicago Marathon: 3hrs 15mins 50 secs
- philsoderberg
- Oct 13, 2013
- 2 min read
What a relief, finally a Boston qualification time and no mistake! Important to remember that not only did my dad power me on but Katherine was another inspiration and what a pleasure it was too help raise some much needed funds for Genesis.
Katherine's Story
"Well I’m not over weight, not a big drinker and certainly not in a highly stressful job. So what would the Daily Mail blame for my breast cancer?
The doctors say it’s not hereditary, just bad luck. So have the past 7 months been unlucky for me dealing with cancer or lucky for me because it’s been diagnosed and treated? In a strange way I feel very, very lucky. I feel no anger it’s happened to me. Sad at times, sorry for myself at times but most of all bloody determined to fight it for my lovely husband and beautiful, smart children who I want to see grow up.
So I need you to donate generously and support Phil’s fundraising because along with other women I have benefited, and continue to benefit, from the care and expertise of the Nightingale Centre, based at Wythenshawe Hospital, which is completely funded by the Genesis Appeal.
The charity’s goal is prevention over cure. Its aim is to reduce the current breast cancer rate of 1 in 10 for women to none in 10. They plan to do this through sponsoring people and science. They fund a strategic programme of clinical research, the UK's largest family history clinic, plus a training centre for specialists in all breast cancer disciplines. Most importantly they promote breast screening and early diagnosis, and research new treatments to stop breast cancer in its early stages.
The one-stop cancer centre (the Nightingale Centre), in my case, diagnosed the breast cancer, arranged surgery and treatment while providing me with a bossy but marvelous nurse to support me and my shocked husband...all in the same day! Post op they arranged a terrifying but amazing physio to help with my recovery and planned the next stage of treatment with the Christie Hospital.
I have since undergone six rounds of chemo, hideous but manageable and I am about to embark on three weeks of radiotherapy. I am now based at the Christie for this treatment but know I still have my breast nurse for support if I need her, the physio if I’m feeling brave enough and the expertise of an amazing surgeon who saved my life.
So please help the Genesis Appeal help people like me. They have provided me with a future and can do the same for many more women and men with your support. Give generously and the fabulously fit and slightly bonkers Phil will do something I can’t do at the moment but plan to do again very soon... run!"
