"We found WMUK and their online community an invaluable source of knowledge, support and reassurance during what was a difficult time." - Charley Green, London to Paris cyclists.
In little over a day, ten cyclists will be setting off from London on their epic challenge. They'll be putting their bodies and minds through some tough times, all to raise money for the WM community. Here, Charley, one of the riders, explains her personal reasons for doing so.
"It's a special community."
“I’m taking on this monster of a cycle because my dad Andy Green was diagnosed with WM last year,” writes Charley. “He started on chemo pretty much straight away. Waldenstrom’s wasn’t a cancer we had heard of before - so a steep learning curve swiftly followed as we began to process what it meant and what the journey over the coming weeks and months would bring.
“We found WMUK and their online community an invaluable source of knowledge, support and reassurance during what was a difficult time. In particular, I referred to the wealth of knowledge on the Facebook support group - there’s nothing like hearing from those who are going through the same thing. I was also really touched by the kindness and friendliness of the members of the group and the responses I had when I asked for help - it really is a special community and a lovely group of people.
“What’s more, as WM isn’t currently a curable disease, WMUK offers such a valuable service to people living with WM and their families - whether they are on active monitoring, going through treatment or otherwise.
“Dad finished his first round of treatment earlier this year. It was successful and he is now in partial remission. He’s now enjoying life in North Yorkshire with my mum Julie, featuring lots of walking and travelling - and catching up on the gardening he missed during treatment!
“Any donations you can make would be warmly received - and will support a truly great community of people living with this rare illness.”
Charley and the team have been putting their souls into training and fundraising in the past few months, all to ensure WMUK can keep its services running for the WM community. Support them and track their progress here.
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