Running for Yvonne

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

If you’re surprised by the idea of me running 13.1 metres let alone 13.1 miles trust me, no one is more surprised than me! This will be my 4th half marathon, and for the first time, I want to do something more than run a bit faster, get a bit less tired and maybe eat fewer jelly babies along the way.

This time I’m raising awareness and funds for the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (ACPMP) Research Foundation, a US charity in memory of my wonderful friend Yvonne, who very sadly died from this very rare form of cancer in the summer of 2018. If that’s all you need to know, please go ahead and DONATE NOW! (please make sure you add in “Running for Yvonne” under the button ‘I’d like to make this gift In Honor or In Memory of someone’ when donating to track all funds raised!)

Click here for a CONVERSION CALCULATOR

$400 Raised as of 3/18/20

Need more info before parting with your cash? No probs.

Sadly the ‘C’ word crops up way too much and in the case of AC/PMP there isn’t much in the way of research because it is so rare. In fact, it’s very unlikely you have heard of it, so here’s a brief explanation…

What is AC/PMP?

Appendix Cancer and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) is a rare cancer affecting roughly 1-2 people in 1 million (yep, that rare). Generally, people hear you have appendix cancer and think that removing the appendix will solve the problem. If only. Cancer that starts in the appendix isn’t usually found until it’s at an advanced stage, therefore, stage IV appendix cancer is typically the most common. If the tumour in the appendix bursts, it can then sends cancer cells streaming into the abdomen, otherwise known as mucin, where they attach to other organs and begin to grow, this is how PMP is formed. The tumours can then affect the bowels, gallbladder, spleen and other organs. AC/PMP is typically treated with surgery/chemotherapy. If it spreads outside the appendix, then a patient may need cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This surgery is long and very invasive, sometimes involving organ removal. For some patients, there may be even more chemotherapy needed post-surgery.

In Yvonne’s case, she only had an initial round of chemo, but it didn’t stop the disease from spreading. This form of cancer isn’t just rare, it’s also incredibly aggressive. I could tell you about how heartbroken we were by how quickly her health deteriorated, but I’d rather tell you how brave she was, how much she made me laugh even though she was so ill, and how she chose to spend her time doing as many positive things as she could. She was always more interested in other people’s woes than her own – classic Yvonne. She inspired me then and she continues to do so now. This next half marathon is all for her and anyone else that’s unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with this hideous disease.

Please donate whatever you can, large or small, (there’s a conversion calculator here, so you can make sure you know exactly the amount you’re donating). When donating, please add in “Running for Yvonne” under the button ‘I’d like to make this gift In Honor or In Memory of someone’ to ensure we see all your generous donations and to track our total! Everything helps, the amount doesn’t matter, it all helps this fantastic and not very well known charity continue to fund research which will lead to better treatment for patients.

Thank you!

Sonal Dack