Race for life day has finally arrived and team Bonnie are out in full force and raring to go! With their legs stretched and their trainers on both feet, the 5k race begins with Bonnie at the front leading the way and giving us a running commentary of how her race skills are shaping up. As they near the end, it’s tempting to stop, but Bonnie just keeps on going until she reaches that finish line! Back at home, the chocolate is out and the legs are resting as everyone, including Bonnie feels worn out after their active morning, which has raised a staggering two and a half thousand pounds for Cancer Research. With the race completed and everyone recovered, Bonnie gives us a summary of the past few days, including a trip to the hospital to have her stomach drained, in which 3 litres of liquid were drained, an amount Bonnie represents with three cartons of fruit juice! As her holiday approaches, Bonnie looks forward to having a break away from home and rejuvenating on a boating holiday. We get a tour around the boat in question and some of the beautiful surrounding scenery as Bonnie has a well deserved break from normality and enjoys herself surrounded by her family, her friends and the sunshine.

In this film we meet Jodie, whose brother Shawn was diagnosed with cancer only a month ago. As she goes about her sisterly duties, (i.e. fetching copious amounts of pot noodle from the shops!) Jodie explains how the news of Shawn’s diagnosis is still very raw but manages to keep going by keeping herself and Shawn motivated and providing him with everything he needs. Equipped with lots of helpful advice, Jodie also stresses the importance of positive thinking and staying strong, no matter what the situation. With the town centre only being a short walk from the hospital and Shawn needing regular nutrition in the form of McDonald’s milkshakes, Jodie explains how thankful she is for the convenience and also the fact that there’s a pub just around the corner!

It’s all go go go as both radiotherapy and exams get underway and Alice prepares for the busy schedule ahead of her. With radiotherapy everyday for the next 4 ½ weeks, Alice explains how she can’t wait to get it all over and done with and get on with life as normal. On the foot front, a successful period of driving again without any pain fills Alice with bundles of confidence and relief at the thought of finally being crutch free. After missing it first time round due to previous treatment, an apprehensive Alice prepares for her maths exam and reports back after to tell us how it went… with complete success of course! A weekend away in London with friends at the Give It A Name festival comes as a welcome break from treatment and exams and gives Alice a chance to see some of her all time favourite bands play, even if a late night getting back home does cause sore eyes the next day! As Alice’s tough schedule of radiotherapy continues, she explains how treatment isn’t what’s worrying her most. In true Alice form, passing her exams and continuing with revision are her main concerns, even with the side effects of treatment causing her to feel tired and lethargic… leaving us wondering where she gets her energy from!

After Cherith’s brother Jonathan was diagnosed with Leukaemia over a year ago, life has been very different. As Cherith tells her story, she talks us through the range of emotions that come with finding out a sibling has been diagnosed with cancer and how she coped with watching other family members deal with her brother’s diagnosis. Cherith explains how at first, she didn’t know how to take the news and wishes she had known more about the illness to begin with as it made her angry and upset when she didn’t know what the future held. We also get to meet Jonathan himself, who, by the looks of things is taking a definite lead in the race to eat as many chicken pies as possible with a record of three per day! Cherith also talks us through the first time she saw Jonathan in hospital and how emotional it was to see someone she loved in such a shocking environment. After spending some time away from home, Cherith looks forward to going back to normality and seeing her dog again, although in true sibling style, Jonathan seems more occupied with The Simpsons than waving his sister off!

With exams just round the corner and radiotherapy about to begin, Alice is feeling the strain of having to deal with both school and treatment whilst still battling with the demon crutches! In her words, Alice explains how she could do with some “time out” to forget about things and relax without worrying about other complications. Walking has never seemed like such a luxury as Alice explains how important it is not to take it for granted and longs for the use of her legs once more. After a period of feeling down, Alice perks up after a very successful weekend of walking without crutches and despite it being a long process, is determined to be running around as soon as possible! As the foot in question is beginning to heal nicely, Alice takes the time to show us where the operation took place…a process which still makes her go a bit funny when she has to look at it for too long! In preparation for radiotherapy, Alice takes a trip to the hospital where a mould of her leg is taken, followed up by a heavy tattooing session…unfortunately for radiotherapy purposes only!

Through a series of photographs, taken before and during his cancer treatment, Anthony shows us how cancer can not only dramatically alter your way of life, but also the way you look. From nights out with friends and fun filled fancy dress parties to potent images of his time in hospital, this film tracks Anthony’s progress and offers a powerful insight into the physical side effects of having cancer.

As Alice prepares for radiotherapy on her foot, life on crutches is taking its toll. With exams only round the corner, as well as not being able to do a lot for herself, Alice explains how frustrated and apprehensive she is feeling at the prospect of facing the next few months ahead. A surprise trip to see one of her favourite bands, Muse, at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust soon gets Alice feeling excited and raring to go, even amongst feeling tired and energy less. After receiving some positive test results back following an examination of the muscle surrounding the tumour in her foot, Alice is left feeling incredibly happy and relieved. Continuing on the positive note, the stitches in her foot are out following the operation and healing well, but unfortunately the crutches are staying around for a little while longer yet!

As Gavin reflects on his experience with cancer so far, talk soon turns to the vast array of people who have worked with him during his treatment. From consultants to CLIC Sargent, Gavin and his mum manage to draw up a hefty and detailed list of all the important people who have helped him along the way and at times, managed to take his mind off things. Gavin’s mum talks about the importance of giving blood and advises people to give it a go, whilst Gavin is busy testing the stress levels of the nurses! After finding out he is neutropenic and in need of another platelet transfusion, Gavin goes through some of the side effects of having low counts, one of the worst being no Chinese takeaways!

You simply can’t sit through an episode of Coronation Street these days without someone ringing you and disturbing the peace….as Mr. Peter soon discovers! A phone call from the hospital completely disrupts his evening television schedule as our favourite cartoon comedian finds out he has to go back to hospital. Looks like Come Dine With Me is off the agenda then. Once there, Mr. Peter has a Pic line put in and soon finds his precious locks falling out once more, which is a bit of a pain really seeing as he’s got a cut and blow dry booked in for next week! Sadly for Peter, an unwanted villain returns…and he’s more evil than ever…this time he’s trying to steal Debs….and the show! Will Brian pinch Mr. Peter’s fair maiden and take his place as our favourite cartoon host? Somehow, “The Brian Show” just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

Here’s some more events/activities coming up in Sheffield:

21st July – Street Magic Day (show and workshops)
6th August Air Acrobatics - for patients who’ve finished treatment
23rd August – Swim the channel - sponsored swim
27th August – TCTU Part in the Park - fun day of DJ’s, breakdancers, street magic, cirucs acts, percussion, and stalls raising awareness [...]

July 24th – Quad biking at the Adrenalin Jungle
Sept 1st – Pizza & Games night
Oct 17th –20th – Teenage Cancer Trust FYSOT conference at Centre Parcs
Nov 3rd – Complementary therapies
Dec – Christmas night out!
For more information contact Carol or Faye
on 0116 258 6905 or email
carol.irving@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
faye.j.wright@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

17th July 12pm onwards. Please e-mail deborah.holland@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
if you have footage to show Mark - keep those films coming!!!