Sian Limpenny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and is undergoing treatment at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. Initially, she was making the 80-minute round trip three or four times each cycle. She was then offered the chance to attend Hope for Tomorrow’s mobile cancer care unit, which parks at Morrisons in Beccles, just 10 minutes from her home.
Having never heard of the units before, Sian is now passionate about raising awareness of the service. Despite having only a small window between chemotherapy and recovery, the 55-year-old Marine Science Strategy Director challenged herself to walk 40 miles in June to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow. She has now raised more than £10,500 and is determined to do whatever she can to help ensure the units remain available to everyone who needs them.
“When I received my diagnosis, it felt like the whole world was unravelling around me. It was an absolute shock. I have always enjoyed really good health, so it was the last thing I expected. Suddenly, my life revolved around hospital appointments”
“My chemotherapy treatment at hospital takes at least half a day, and on other days I have blood tests and various other appointments during a fortnightly cycle. Being able to move some of those treatments to the mobile unit has been amazing. It has given me back so much time, which is incredibly important when you are given a diagnosis like this.
“Because it is so close to home, I can drive myself, which means I can retain some independence. My husband David has been coming to hospital appointments with me, but being able to do this myself has helped me regain some normality”
“I initially set a target of £500, but the response has been completely overwhelming. We have now raised more than £10,500 including Gift Aid. The fundraising has been a huge team effort, with friends, family and work colleagues all getting involved and supporting me in different ways. My son and stepson did a 10k run together, a close friend held a two-hour danceathon and colleagues at work organised a bake sale and World Cup sweepstake.
“I am truly grateful to everyone who has supported me. So many people have got behind the charity, and it has been incredibly moving to see the support and generosity of so many people when they learn about the wonderful work Hope for Tomorrow does.
“The added bonus was that it pushed me off the sofa when I really didn’t feel like going out.
“I have seen first-hand the difference the unit makes. It has been a hugely positive experience for me, and I am so pleased to support Hope for Tomorrow because it has supported me through such a difficult time.
“I hope my fundraising helps keep the service available so that everyone who needs it can use it.
“Cancer changes people’s lives. This has been a massive journey for me, but it has been made easier by Hope for Tomorrow’s mobile units. I am still receiving treatment through the mobile unit, and I am incredibly grateful for the care and support it continues to provide.”
“I can be at the mobile unit and back home in 30 minutes. It is so lovely to have that travel and time pressure removed. I am still receiving ongoing treatment at the mobile unit, which continues to make a real difference to me
“At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. There isn’t room for family members on the unit, so I had to get used to not having David with me. But the staff put me at ease straight away. Everyone is amazing, including Mark, the driver, who greets everyone with a huge smile
“It is the same professional care you receive at hospital, but even more intimate because it’s such a small unit. I quickly started recognising familiar faces, and it really puts you at ease.
“I used to drive past that Morrisons around five times a week and never noticed the unit. After experiencing what a wonderful service it offers, I wanted to do something to give back and help others.
“I set myself a challenge to walk 40 miles in June. I had to do it in short stints because it takes me around 10 days to recover after chemotherapy treatment, leaving only a small window when I feel well enough to do things. I walked two or three miles at a time, with the longest walk being four miles, until I completed the 40 miles.”
“When I received my diagnosis, it felt like the whole world was unravelling around me. It was an absolute shock. I have always enjoyed really good health, so it was the last thing I expected. Suddenly, my life revolved around hospital appointments”
“My chemotherapy treatment at hospital takes at least half a day, and on other days I have blood tests and various other appointments during a fortnightly cycle. Being able to move some of those treatments to the mobile unit has been amazing. It has given me back so much time, which is incredibly important when you are given a diagnosis like this.
“Because it is so close to home, I can drive myself, which means I can retain some independence. My husband David has been coming to hospital appointments with me, but being able to do this myself has helped me regain some normality”
“I can be at the mobile unit and back home in 30 minutes. It is so lovely to have that travel and time pressure removed. I am still receiving ongoing treatment at the mobile unit, which continues to make a real difference to me
“At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. There isn’t room for family members on the unit, so I had to get used to not having David with me. But the staff put me at ease straight away. Everyone is amazing, including Mark, the driver, who greets everyone with a huge smile
“It is the same professional care you receive at hospital, but even more intimate because it’s such a small unit. I quickly started recognising familiar faces, and it really puts you at ease.
“I used to drive past that Morrisons around five times a week and never noticed the unit. After experiencing what a wonderful service it offers, I wanted to do something to give back and help others.
“I set myself a challenge to walk 40 miles in June. I had to do it in short stints because it takes me around 10 days to recover after chemotherapy treatment, leaving only a small window when I feel well enough to do things. I walked two or three miles at a time, with the longest walk being four miles, until I completed the 40 miles.”
“I initially set a target of £500, but the response has been completely overwhelming. We have now raised more than £10,500 including Gift Aid. The fundraising has been a huge team effort, with friends, family and work colleagues all getting involved and supporting me in different ways. My son and stepson did a 10k run together, a close friend held a two-hour danceathon and colleagues at work organised a bake sale and World Cup sweepstake.
“I am truly grateful to everyone who has supported me. So many people have got behind the charity, and it has been incredibly moving to see the support and generosity of so many people when they learn about the wonderful work Hope for Tomorrow does.
“The added bonus was that it pushed me off the sofa when I really didn’t feel like going out.
“I have seen first-hand the difference the unit makes. It has been a hugely positive experience for me, and I am so pleased to support Hope for Tomorrow because it has supported me through such a difficult time.
“I hope my fundraising helps keep the service available so that everyone who needs it can use it.
“Cancer changes people’s lives. This has been a massive journey for me, but it has been made easier by Hope for Tomorrow’s mobile units. I am still receiving treatment through the mobile unit, and I am incredibly grateful for the care and support it continues to provide.”
