Marie-Helene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. Unfortunately it is inoperable and although she has been having chemotherapy to downstage the tumour this hasn’t worked so far. Marie (pictured above) is a very positive and inspirational lady and is determined to help us raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer.
In April both her son Spiro and her daughter Angie will be running the Paris Marathon on 15th April 2012 on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer Action. Marie wants to tell as many people as possible about the run so they can raise as much money as possible. To this end she has sent lots of emails to friends and colleagues.
We quote from one of them here:
“Hi everyone,
Many of my colleagues and friends will know that I was diagnosed late last year with Pancreatic cancer, despite being fit, active, non-drinking and non-smoking. This is unfortunately a very difficult cancer to detect and diagnose, and as a result the recovery rate is still very low. Although it is the 10th most common cancer in UK (responsible for about 8,000 deaths each year) it is one of the least understood, with limited research and little GP understanding.
Two of my children (Angie and Spiro) are running in the Paris Marathon next month to raise funds for a charity which encourages and supports research and awareness into this cancer, with funding for GP training. Pancreatic Cancer Action pancreaticcanceraction.org was formed several years ago by a survivor of the cancer, one of the few lucky enough to be diagnosed early for the treatment to be effective. “Early diagnosis saves lives.” Unfortunately my diagnosis was not quick and my cancer is too advanced to be operable (although we are hoping my chemotherapy treatment will stop it growing and spreading ).
Our children are raising money for this charity through their Marathon efforts. They have so far raised over £1,700 and are hoping to get much more, They are on Just Giving and if you can give only a few pounds it will directly benefit the research and training in detection and cure of this really difficult cancer. justgiving.com/teams/Stathakis
I appreciate that we all have a lot of charities to support these days, but anything you can give to this one (a good cause, and a very personal one for our family) will be going to a charity with very important objectives.
Many thanks,
Marie-Helene”
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Please support Spiro and Angie as they run for their mum in the Paris Marathon on 15th April justgiving.com/teams/Stathakis
