Friday, 28 June 2013

The 'C' Word

Yes, this is an Arsenal-related blog. When you think "'C' Word" you would probably assume I'm talking about Robin Van Persie or Ashley Cole.

But I'm talking about Cancer.

Whether it's the person that has the disease or the friends and family that are close to them, Cancer affects so many. My Mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October 2011 - I grew up as part of a very close-knit family, so as you would expect we were all shocked beyond belief. But we also initially thought it was one of the 'best' kind of cancers around.

How wrong we were. It later emerged that my mother had Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a particularly rare form of the disease, and as such, one that's more difficult to treat.

We never got that 'all-clear' from the doctor following extensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. I do remember going through the eye-of-the-storm, where things briefly returned to what we thought was 'normal', but when the call came from the doctor in October last year (12 months after being originally diagnosed) that her cancer had spread, the prognosis was grim. Being Triple Negative, Mum was given 6-12 months to live. She barely lasted 4, and on February 15th, the day in-between Valentines day and my Dad's birthday, she went to a better place.

When I decided to go traveling, it wasn't so I could go and mooch other people's sofas and spend the majority of my time abroad shouting at numerous televisions, it was simply so that I could fulfil a lifelong wish to see more of this amazing planet, to get away from it all. I couldn't think of a better excuse to do it either.

It wasn't until the Gooner On The Road idea was conceived, that I decided I would dedicate the trip to my mother and raise money for The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. The TNBC Foundation focuses exclusively on the form of disease that my Mother had. Researchers don't yet fully understand TNBC, so there aren't as many 'targeted therapies' available. The more funding they have, the more research they can do and the more chance they have of uncovering new ways of treating the disease.

I'm raising £10,000 for the charity. If you have any interest in Arsenal or traveling, or you just want to witness somebody attempt to do something quite ridiculous (but entertaining), subscribe to my blog, follow me on Twitter and support me. And of course you can donate by clicking the Razoo link to the right (it's a bit like JustGiving, but because TNBCF is an American charity I have to fundraise in a different way).

Finally, if you're an Arsenal fan and you would like to be a part of the GOTR mission (either by watching a match with me, or better yet giving up a sofa for me to crash on), you can Tweet me or send me a message on my Facebook page.

Thanks for your support.

GOTR




25 comments:

  1. My condolences on the loss of your mother. I wish I could meet up with you when you pass through Boston but I will be in Spain at that time. I wish you a fantastic, safe, and fulfilling trip.

    ReplyDelete
  2. good After Installation Kodi, iPhone will become a fully functional multimedia jukebox. visit this directly but tagged with different names. Since XBMC is already a past, Kodi for iPhone nice.

    ReplyDelete
  3. good You can get any choice, characteristic and record video tutorials easily check this website for user interface of non geek customers. Kodi Windows Download nice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. good well as becoming entirely free of charge, android-emulator.com The Public Android Emulator gives all users the glimpse nice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. good when you send a Snap, you determine how long it stays good. check this website depending on your hardware specs and, as I said a moment ago, Snapchat Online nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

      Click Here
      Visit Web
      Cmidonostia.es

      Delete
  6. iOS 10 is available for everyone to download right now. The update will roll out in waves, though, so if you've not got it just yet, don't panic, it should appear on your iPhone or iPad soon. To get direct link to iOS 10 Download go to CydiaNerd.

    ReplyDelete
  7. good Run the setup file and install the emulator. livelymusically Create creative and useful video clips for your nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

      Asami.mx
      Information
      Click Here

      Delete
  8. Great it is really easy to download the Xender app from Google play shop or App store. Xender for PC Xender lets you transfer files from Android to Android, iphone to iphone as well as Android to iphone also. Nice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. good the application remembers its an alternating gadget Snapchat Online Login It's an alternative that you should keep in mind on nice.

    ReplyDelete
  10. good priced at annual soon after that. However, there is no WhatsApp WhatsMac, you'll see a window with an one-of-a-kind QR nice.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LGBT TRAVEL | Australia's NO#1 fully dedicated LGBTIQ travel store

    DISCOVER WHAT'S HOT DOWN UNDER for Travel - Accommodation - Events - Clubs - Pubs - Eateries and Saunas

    broken heel

    ReplyDelete
  12. given article is very helpful and very useful for my admin, and pardon me permission to share articles here hopefully helped :

    Cara mengobati sesak nafas
    Cara mengatasi radang usus
    Khasiat kiwi untuk menurunkan darah tinggi

    ReplyDelete
  13. may be useful for all, helpful article once and pardon me permission to share also here :

    Obat radang telinga
    Cara menyembuhkan radang paru paru
    Cara mengatasi penglihatan yang kabur

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great this article is very helpful. Thank you for the valuable information.
    look here

    ReplyDelete



  15. Each of the women associated with our agency is strictly professional when it comes to rendering her services to her clients.Female Escorts in Aerocityhere at our escort agency make sure that their talents are such that they will never fall short of giving the best of services to their clients. Check our other Services...
    Female Escorts in Aerocity
    Female Escorts in Aerocity
    Female Escorts in Aerocity
    Female Escorts in Aerocity
    Female Escorts in Aerocity

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article, thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as well

    Bossgaming.net
    Information
    Click Here

    ReplyDelete
  17. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

    Ttunnel.it
    Information
    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete
  18. It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

    Pastebin.com
    Information
    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.

    Addandclick.com
    Information
    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete
  20. I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

    Inclusionprojects.com
    Information
    Click Here
    Visit Web

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be
    book-marking it and checking back frequently!

    Cqrcengage.com
    Swepub.kb.se
    Kr.camcom.gov.it

    ReplyDelete