A group of individuals from in and around the Ely area are taking on a 24-hour coastal walk in Norfolk at the end of this month to raise money for Macmillian Cancer Support.
Lauren Bowers-Broadley's brother, Danny Brown, has organised the walk following her stage four melanoma diagnosis back in June this year.
He and Lauren’s husband, Sam Bowers-Broadley, have already raised more than £1,000 for charity and have also previously taken on a bike ride from Ely to Wales and walking from Ely to Holland for other cancer charities.
Now, the pair, alongside Lauren and around 30-40 other individuals including some of the colleagues she works with at St Mary’s Surgery in the city, are joining together to conquer the 24-hour coastal hike on Saturday September 30 – Sunday October 1.
“I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2015 and underwent radiotherapy. It was contained in my eye thankfully and I had regular surveillance at Moorfields Hospital,” said Lauren.
“Unfortunately, in June a surveillance ultrasound showed some suspicious lesions and after more scans and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage four melanoma.”
Ocular melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer. It is rare, with odds of getting it at about six in one million. It can cause vision problems and can be serious if it spreads to other organs.
The cancer comes from melanocytes that give colour to the lining of your eye and can occur in various parts of the eye such as the lid, the choroid, the iris or the ciliary body. Treatment often involves radiation aimed at destroying the tumor or surgery to remove it.
“I’ve had two treatments and Addenbrooke’s have been great. Things are hopefully heading in the right direction. I feel so grateful and lucky, and we have had so much support,” said Lauren.
When Danny heard the news about Lauren, he felt helpless but knew he could organise a charity event to help raise funds. That’s exactly what he did.
There is now a small army involved and gearing up for the walk, and Lauren says she can’t wait for the positivity the event will bring as well as the awareness it will raise for a charity who do so much to help families going through the same as hers.
Danny said: “Whilst a core group will be completing the 24-hour Norfolk walk in full, the route allows Loz to do as many miles as she can muster.
“We will aim to complete as many miles as possible within the timeframe and will look to take per mile sponsorship donations as well as the JustGiving donations.
“Sam and I have previously raised money for cancer charities but this time around it is more of a collective effort involving a small group of friends and family.
He added: “She [Lauren] has an amazing group of family and friends around her, and we have no doubt in our minds that she can beat this. We are all so proud of her.
“She is the strongest person I know, she is an amazing nurse, and I am always proud to call her my sister.
“If you can spare anything it would be so appreciated. Thank you.”
The group will set off for their coastal walk from Hunstanton on Saturday, September 30 at 12pm and will finish on Sunday, October 1 at 12pm.
Together, they are aiming to raise a total of £2,000 for Macmillian Cancer Support and at the time of writing have raised just over £1,400.
You can donate to the group’s Just Giving page by visiting: Danny Brown is fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support (justgiving.com)
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