Earlier this year, as many of the regular readers know, I went to London to the British Skin Foundation offices to help create a video for the launch of the new Charity It Takes 7.
It was an amazing afternoon….and the first time I had properly talked “out loud” about how I felt…how much of a shock the diagnosis of Melanoma had been. How I felt in the first few days & weeks afterwards….and trust me…I remember every minute of the day I was diagnosed & every day afterwards with real clarity….not so much what I did….as much as how I felt…the impact and shock that even now still hasn’t quite sunk in.
I am incredibly pleased to be involved with this charity dedicated to Skin Cancer & Melanoma research. It takes time for charities to grow….especially when they are created with the unique model that this charity is formed upon. The ItTakes7 charity is funded entirely by BAD the British Association of Dermatologists…which means there are no overheads…so staff, offices etc don’t get paid from the money donated by people like me…and you.
My team & I ran that 10k….we are still gathering up the last of our sponsorship monies…and once we have I will be able to tell you the total funds raised…but we have a target of £5k and it looks as though we will be really close to reaching that goal….and that means £5,000 direct to research.
There have been some amazing advancements in Melanoma treatments in the last few months…options that give hope. But there is still no Cure. So more research is needed & let’s face it that means more money.
Because 100% of the money raised goes to research, there is no spare money left to promote the charity…to produce merchandise or adverts in print. This means they rely upon ongoing supporters and social media to share the message.
So when they contacted me to ask if they could use more of the film they shot back in February for The British Skin Foundations newsletter (Summer Newsletter) I was only too happy to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkKbZHDIjU&feature=youtu.be

I am proud of how it comes across. It shows that I was sad, hurt & scared…still am…but it shows that I believe there to be a point to fighting…to optimism…to being proactive.
Please understand Melanoma is still a killer.
Melanoma is still on the increase.
People are still being reckless…..more so than ever before despite the fact that there is information out there now.
And so I turn my fear of Melanoma, my frustration of barriers and problems patients like me are still facing, and I turn my pride from how I can see how my little contribution to the fight is adding up…and I am trying to turn that into something special…something of relevance.
I have swapped a little place in my head that was once consumed with fear….and filled it with plans.
Plans for another fundraising event this year.
Plans for a project with an amazing lady I met in Brussels called Gillian Nuttall from a charity called MelanomaUK (www.melanomauk.org.uk). This particular plan is already underway & I am very excited about it! Hopefully this will be the first of many projects we work on together!
Plans for things I can do…with help….to raise the profile of Melanoma….including plans for a really big fundraising event next year with ItTakes7.
I suppose I should slow down…reign in the plans somewhat….but you see the time to act is now….and if I don’t keep planning…and keep fighting…that space in my head that I am filling with planning….could get filled with fear again…like the space next to it still is….
……or it could just be empty….which would amuse and entertain many!
This rollercoaster ride I am on has it’s own path….I sit in the cart…I follow the loops & twists…I can’t choose the ending or when that will be…I can’t get off the rollercoaster……but I like to think I can influence the enjoyment and benefit of the journey along the way.

Thank you for my beautiful flowers x