Race for Life 2014

I’ve been writing online in some form of personal blog since 2001 (which, depressingly, is older than some bloggers out there) and when I’m asked to describe my blog, I say it’s things I like and care about. I never expected one of those topics to be testicles. I mean, they’re nice and all, but it’s not really something you talk about, is it?

Well, we should.

Around Christmas, Alex found a lump. After a lot of pestering to register with the doctor, and an unfortunatly timed 3 week work trip, a tumour was diagnosed, and quickly removed. A follow up scan showed that the lump was cancerous, and that it had spread to a lymph node, so chemotherapy would be needed.

Alex has been receiving chemotherapy at BHOC (Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre) since his further diagnosis in March. The speed in which he has been seen and the care he has received so far has been amazing.

He has been lucky enough to experience the young adult ward, which is for teenagers and young adults up to 25 years old. With wifi, private rooms, and a communal area and kitchen that’s comfortable and almost relaxing, it makes a pretty shitty experience less poop to go through.

I usually take part in a Race for Life event every year in order to raise money for Cancer Research after my mum died in 2005 after a short battle with cancer, but this year, it’s even more important to me. With the money that we raise, Cancer Research is able to work on new developments that mean treatments work quicker and more effectively to cure more people.

We also wanted to set something up to allow our friends to donate directly to the people who are actually making him better (because they’re pretty damn awesome). Above and Beyond is the charity for the hospitals in Bristol. We are so lucky to have such excellent healthcare available to us (that you don’t have to pay for to benefit from!) in our city.

I am running both the 5k and 10k in Bristol in the same weekend in July because Alex thought it would be funny and signed me up for both of them. Cancer has not affected his sadistic nature, unfortunatly. (You can still get involved with these events! Head over to the Race for Life page and get signed up!)

You can donate to my Race for Life page here – www.justgiving.com/hayles10kand5k or you can donate by text by sending HGCB95 £1 (you can replace £1 with whatever figure you want to donate, up to £10!) to 70070

You can donate to Above and Beyond here – www.justgiving.com/nixgeek or you can donate by text by sending HCAH99 £1 (again, replacing £1 with whatever figure, up to £10) to 70070

Finally, if you take nothing else away from this blog post – check yourself, and check your partner.  Some of you may know that one of my favourite people, Vanessa, was diagnosed with breast cancer before Christmas, and is also going through chemo. We assume that these sort of illnesses won’t affect us, because we’re young, but it’s even more important to learn how to check yourself so it becomes a part of your routine. You can find out more information about breast cancer from Breast Cancer Care and about testicular cancer from It’s In The Bag (who are a part of Above and Beyond)