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Nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. In my family alone it has claimed the lives of two members and unsuccessfully attempted another two. Friends have lost parents and partners and just recently another friend is supporting her father battle against it. I feel the need to help and raising money for charity seems like the best way.

So on the 27th July I am paying to do a tandem skydive over Sandown, as it's something I've always wanted to do, and I am hoping that you will sponsor me by donating money to The Chemotherapy Unit at St Marys Hospital on the IOW.

I have chosen them for two reasons:

To thank them for the care and support they gave to my mum

And it seems like the most direct way of making a small difference; by helping to make the experience of others who are suffering from cancer now, who will be using the unit for treatment, as a pleasant as possible.

When my mum was diagnosed in Nov 2012 the prognosis was that she wasn't expected to live longer than the following February. With the help of the Chemotherapy Unit, the oncology team and her own grit and determination, my family were able to spend another year with her.

I am so grateful that we were able to have this treatment on the Island and I don't think mum would have survived as long as she did if the three weekly visits had also involved long journeys by ferries and taxi.

This really is a lovely place, an oasis of calm and tranquility; it doesn't feel like a hospital ward at all. There are brightly coloured fish swimming away in calming bubbling tanks, plants, mosaics and other art work on the walls and a lovely garden area.

The staff there are amazing, so kind and caring and always ready with advice on how to cope with the side effects and show a real interest in the wellbeing of all their patients, so that you feel they are friends as well as nurses, and that they are willing you on.

All funds received would go towards patient amenities and welfare to help buy extras; they are currently raising money for another ultrasound machine, but it can also be used for other general medical equipment; furniture, artwork or anything else that will enhance the environment, which is what I'm more interested in.

It must be frightening knowing that what you are doing is going to make you feel so tired and sick, but that it is your only way to survive or buy time. With all those thoughts churning in your head, the environment has to be as calming and reflective as possible, so perhaps they can use my funds raised for something soothing which in turn will make a difference to someone.  

My visits also showed me that when you are having treatment, a lot of time is spent sitting about waiting for the drip containing the life saving chemicals to be administered, so a comfy chair is essential! We had quite a trauma with one of the reclining, rising ones - basically don't ask me to do the controls or it ends up like a scene from a carry on movie. It gave everyone a laugh though!  It would be nice to think the donations could be used towards another one of these or extra visitor chairs.

Failing that maybe i will raise enough to just buy chocolate and cake!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.