On January 18 this year I was devastated to hear the news that my friend Fiona had passed away after struggling with bowel cancer. 

Fiona was only 33 when she was diagnosed in October 2011.  Following her diagnosis Fiona had to cope with 12 weeks of chemotherapy, which sadly had no effect.  The cancer was too advanced and had spread to her stomach, liver, jaw and hipbone.  Quite quickly the possibility of her survival went from only a few years to months then weeks.

 

I met Fiona at Brighton University in 1996; throughout the years I have many happy memories of being housemates and partying it out in Brighton and London.  After I moved to Australia we still remained good friends.  Fiona was such a happy, fun person to be around, what I admired most about Fi is how much she made of the time she had.  She was a keen kite surfer, photographer, and traveler.  She had a love of the ocean and lived by the beach in Shoreham with her perfect mate and husband Rob, whom she married in September 2010.

 

 Fiona’s drive for challenges inspired me to run the Sydney marathon this year.  I would like to run it in memory of Fiona and to raise money for St Barnabas House, Shoreham, West Sussex.

 St Barnabas House supported Fi during her battle with cancer. They provided so much support for Fiona from when she was diagnosed through to her final days.  They were there for advice anytime Fiona and Rob needed it and when things became more serious they were welcomed into the hospice to stay for as long as Fiona wanted to.

 

St Barnabas House costs £4 million each year to run, and without support from fundraising it would not be able to continue the support and care they provide families across Sussex. 

I miss Fi very much and would like to show my respect by supporting the hospice that looked after her. I feel really lucky to have known her and will always hold the memories I have of her close to my heart.