In loving memory of
Karen
5/11/1963 - 17/04/2025
🩷
Support my challenge to fight for a world without pancreatic cancer
Hello everyone,
As I enter the final few months of writing my PhD thesis, I think about my Aunt, Karen, more and more. She was the person in my life who had the most enthusiasm and faith in my academic abilities. Even during her final weeks, she would say things like "I'm so proud of you" and "I can't wait for you to become a Doctor". She was also the one I turned to who would understand when I said things like "sometimes I feel like my brain is inside out" or "I feel like a complete alien in social situations". 😅 I've been wishing that I could speak to her about my current state of burnout and imagining what she'd tell me to do about it.
So when I saw this opportunity to fundraise for Pancreatic Cancer UK, I thought - yes! This will get me out of the house and force me to relax each day. Even though I often go on 5km runs, I rarely go for short, slow walks at the moment. I've been spending every waking hour either writing, reading, doing data analysis or brainstorming, which has left me rather depleted. I'm going to use this opportunity to slow down and spend an hour or so walking gently and mindfully every day.
This will be my way of remembering Karen and giving her the place she wanted in the final part of my PhD journey. Sometimes when I think of finishing my thesis, I feel an emptiness knowing that she was supposed to be the first to read it. She wasn't supposed to die last year. And yet, I continue - largely because of her absolute faith in my abilities, which she made sure I was aware of until the very end.
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating, excruciating and often fast-acting illness. It steals life from people who have so much more to give, and steals loved ones from people who need them. Whilst I can't bring back my auntie, I'd like to take on this challenge (which should be an easy one, really) to honour her. If you'd like to support me and help stop people suffering so much in the future, please consider donating to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Thank you,
Kate. Xx
More info (I did not write this):
This September, I'm walking 84km for the 84 people who die from pancreatic cancer every 3 days in the UK.
Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer in the UK.
Right now, 31 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every day in the UK.
So this September, I'm challenging myself to get up, get moving and walk 84km remember those we've lost, and stand with those affected by pancreatic cancer.
Please make a donation to support me, and together...
We will remember them. We will honour them. We will fight for them.
My Activity Tracking
25
kms
My target 84 kms
My memory wall for my aunty, Karen
Thank you to my sponsors
£23.45
Daisy And Archie
£50
Alex
£15
Anonymous
£30
Jane Bright
Well done Kate! Very proud of you and I'm sure Karen will be with you all the way on your beautiful walks as she loved being outside in nature just as you do 💞
£28.44
Kirsty Sands
£55.88
Nan Normzy
Good luck Kate with your fund Raising For your Auntie Karen’s cause. I know how much you miss her help and guidance, i hope you reach your goal. Love you. Xxx 💗
£23.45
Catriona Conway
Such a worthwhile cause! You're amazing for doing this during such a difficult time, you're smashing it 💕
£8
Karen Dawson
£16.98
Lorraine Ricks
Well done Kate!
£10
Bethany Humphries
£10
Erica Sands
Good luck Kate 🥰
£5
Maria Nieto
Hopefully my little help will aid you reaching the money raising goal! I fully support you and hope those 84km can be done thinking of Karen and disconnecting from your PhD. She would be so proud of the amazing work you are doing, and very grateful for your extremely loving actions. Love you!
£12.25
Amanda Spanswick
£23.45
Emma Northeast
Well done my love, so proud of you xx
£14
Kate Cook
Thank you to my sponsors
£28.44
Kirsty Sands
£23.45
Daisy And Archie
£23.45
Catriona Conway
Such a worthwhile cause! You're amazing for doing this during such a difficult time, you're smashing it 💕
£23.45
Emma Northeast
Well done my love, so proud of you xx
£16.98
Lorraine Ricks
Well done Kate!
£15
Anonymous
£14
Kate Cook
£12.25
Amanda Spanswick
£10
Bethany Humphries
£10
Erica Sands
Good luck Kate 🥰
£8
Karen Dawson
£5
Maria Nieto
Hopefully my little help will aid you reaching the money raising goal! I fully support you and hope those 84km can be done thinking of Karen and disconnecting from your PhD. She would be so proud of the amazing work you are doing, and very grateful for your extremely loving actions. Love you!
