Cancer survivor gets set for charity run

WENDY Millard was a fit and healthy nurse and mum-of-two. But last she was diagnosed with a rare tumour in her left kidney at the age of just 37.

The mother-of-two from Featherstone was told she was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer called transitional cell carcinoma which usually affects the bladders of men over the age of 65 who have both been smokers and worked alongside chemicals all their lives.

But Wendy, an infection prevention control specialist nurse from Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, was a healthy, fit young woman with little history of cancer in her immediate family.

The devastating news came as a huge blow to both her and her partner Glen Wilkinson and her two young children Elissia, 10 and four- year-old Sam.

“When they told me I had cancer I just remember feeling absolutely terrified for my family,” said Wendy, who only discovered she had the disease after finding blood in her urine one day.

“Before I was diagnosed, I hadn’t been feeling well for some time and had been struggling with tiredness on a daily basis but I didn’t ever think it was cancer.

“I went for a CAT scan at the hospital straight away but initially they said everything was fine.”

However, being a nurse and seeing people affected by serious illnesses every day, Wendy knew she wasn’t well and insisted on further tests.

Another CAT scan involving a coloured dye, showed up a large tumour in her left kidney. Major surgery followed with the removal of her kidney, ureter and a small part of her bladder.

Wendy checked out of hospital just four days later determined to be at home to recover with her family.

“I couldn’t do anything without the help of my partner for quite a few weeks and he had to help me dress, wash and eat but I was determined to be at home,” said Wendy.

“He has been an absolute rock to me and my children and I couldn’t have coped throughout this experience without him,” she added.

Wendy is now in training for the Great North Run next month in a bid to raise funds for research into cancer.

“I’m running the Great North Run on September 18, almost a year after this nightmare began, to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research to fund local research into this dreadful disease.”

Wendy will run the iconic 13.1 mile Newcastle to South Shields race alongside her sister Rachel Millard and best friends Julie Raine and Sharon Maw. “We’ve all been out training together and my friends have been fantastic at cheering me on to get fit and keep focused,” said Wendy.

“We really just want to raise as much money as we can for Yorkshire Cancer Research, so please dig deep.”

Yorkshire Cancer Research spend £7m a year on cancer research solely in Yorkshire, helping local people beat the disease.

To sponsor Wendy in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research visit her Just Giving page www. justgiving. com/wendy-millard or text WEND99 to 70070.

Yorkshire Cancer Research

In Yorkshire 259 people die from cancer every week with survival rates lagging behind most of the UK.

Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) is the only cancer charity whose main aim is to help Yorkshire people beat cancer.

YCR currently funds around 200 scientists and clinicians, in Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York.

These scientists are among the world leaders in the fight against cancer and the charity has committed £15m to them.

Donate online at www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk. Alternatively Text ‘Yorkshire’ to 70007. Each text costs £3, and a minimum of £1.90 will go to Yorkshire Cancer Research.