A dear friend of mine had cancer. He was unique, special and incredibly strong.
Gary was loved by many and loved many around him. He deserved to live a full life and leave this world when he was old and grey. Unfortunately, this wasn’t possible – and it’s not fair.
After years of winning the fight, he was eventually diagnosed as terminal so all we had left was to make the most of every remaining precious moment. Though Gary was unique to me and his friends and family, we know his story is not unique: millions of us have been affected by cancer and can relate to his story as a sufferer, a carer, a family member or friend.
So what can I do to help? What can anyone do to help anyone with cancer?
We can offer our support emotionally. We can, if we’re able, offer our support financially. Most importantly, we can rally round and help them live the rest of their life to the fullest – and that can be a beautiful thing. Though sadly we can’t cure cancer yet, we also need to keep trying – aiming for a brighter future without this terrible disease.
We need to support those who have the knowledge and skills to make a difference to cancer treatment, and this is where PUDDLE JUMPING FOR CANCER was born.
I was sat at home wondering what I could possibly send my lovely friend for his birthday after he had just received the devastating news that he had only a little time left.
I decided on a pair of wellies for him and his husband and a cute poster which said “When it rains too hard, go jump in puddles” . I smiled at the thought of him jumping in puddles like a kid again and when I heard him say, “Our wellies are in the car waiting for the perfect rainy day,“ I knew that I was on to something.