Steve's Fundraising for Breast Cancer Story

 

Hello, I'm Steve and this is my fundraising story.

It all began when I was brushing my teeth one evening and wondered if I could do 24 hours of non-stop cardio workouts at the gym (as you do!). This translated into the idea that if I was going to try this I might as well raise some much-needed funds for The Primrose Foundation at the same time.

I have already completed a 12-hour non-stop cardio training session on the 8th February and completed 18-hours on the 29th February 2024, followed by ‘the big one’ which will be a 24-hour non-stop cardio event from 5pm on 14 March 2024 - The events are a mixture of exercise bikes, cross trainers, rowing machines, running machines, ski machines and step climbers, with the aim to spend an hour on each before changing to the next machine.

The only breaks will be to either change my T-shirt, change exercise machine or to use the toilet, all food and drinks will be taken on while exercising. My aim is to raise at least £1,000 for Primrose.

But why The Primrose Foundation I hear you ask; Well, about, 3 years ago my wife Wendy was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer. Her attitude was that it’s happened and rather than feel sorry for herself, she was determined to get on with it. While there were difficult times, she smashed it, including wearing a ‘cold cap’ during her chemotherapy sessions which dramatically reduced her potential for hair loss as her treatment progressed.

Even after putting her body through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery she remained positive and a true inspiration. I want to do something to say a massive thank you to the team at the primrose breast care centre for everything that they did for my wife. Wendy was and continues to be my inspiration, I am amazed by how well she has coped through her treatment and recovery and want to do what I can to help others that have to go through what we did as a family.

 
 

Wendy had a ‘picc-line’ (peripherally inserted central catheter) in her arm to deliver chemotherapy medication every 3 weeks through her treatment, this was followed by what Wendy called ‘red, amber and green weeks’. Red weeks saw Wendy wiped out and spending a lot of time sleeping, generally feeling run down and lethargic. She found it a useful distraction to do some like colouring (the more complex the better as it helped to pass the time and provided a focus) and reading books which friends had passed to her.

During the amber weeks, Wendy felt a little more human but still reeling from the chemo medication. She took short walks where possible, and the fresh air was very welcomed, even in poor weather.

Green weeks were a little easier and Wendy was able to meet with friends for coffee and talk about stuff other than cancer. She said that being a little more active was amazing before having to prepare for her next round of treatment and back into another ‘red week’.

This 3-week cycle repeated 6 times and took a tremendous toll on Wendy both mentally and physically. She was also taking other medication to counteract some of the chemo medication as well as trying to stay as active and independent as possible.

I’d like to thank all our family and friends for their kindness and in recent weeks their encouragement and support with the challenges I have set myself. I am already part way there to reaching my fundraising goal and would love a little bit more help to reach that £1,000 therefore if you could donate just a few pounds I would really appreciate it and it will make the aching muscles, sore knee joints and lack of sleep all worth it.

 
 
 
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