Our own Kate Warner, manager at Dickson House, is undertaking a very special fundraising drive to help raise money for a cause close to her heart. Here, Kate explains more.
For those of you who have worked for the Trust for more than 10 years like me, you will probably remember the story of my daughter, Lydia, who aged five, was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which had spread to the liver.
Lydia had chemotherapy which resulted in her losing some of her hearing and she had a liver transplant in 2013, whereby I was the donor. It was obviously a very difficult and challenging time for my family.
However, fast forward 10 years and after countless operations and hospitals stays, plus a recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, Lydia has been picked to represent GB in swimming at the World Transplant Games in Australia from 15-21 April this year. We are so proud of Lydia and it’s an amazing opportunity for her and one which helps to make everything that she has been through almost bearable.
We do have to fund the trip ourselves, so have been doing whatever we can to raise the funds and, in the process, raise awareness of organ donation. I set myself a challenge that during October last year, I would attempt (being the word!) to run the distance between all the hospitals that have saved her life - Doncaster for the initial diagnosis and diabetes, Sheffield for oncology and audiology and Birmingham for the liver side of things. It was 116 miles in total and I'm not a runner so it was a huge challenge for me BUT I DID IT!
We are getting closer now to reaching the amount needed to fund Lydia’s experience of a lifetime so are involved in some fundraising efforts and just want to spread the word. This includes a fun and exciting race evening on Saturday 11th March at 7pm at the Town Moor Golf Club. The event is being run by the Thorne Rural Lions and tickets are £5 which includes a pie and pea supper.
We also have a fundraising link here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lydias-world-transplant-games?utm_term=AVjvPr2ya
If anyone can donate anything, however big or small, that would be very much appreciated so after all Lydia has been through, we can help her reach her dreams of swimming at the World Transplant Games. Thank you.