In March my very best friend Deb Gilbrook lost her battle with breast cancer. She'd fought so long and so very bravely, and her death at the age of 50 is devastating to me and all her family, friends and colleagues.
This was Debbie's second bout with cancer; she'd successfully fought it several years ago. This time she battled for just over three years, and for much of this she was winning, continuing to live life to the full. In all that time almost until the very end, she held on to the fact that maybe there might be a cure, or at least a new treatment, that would help her and give her the vital weapon she needed to defeat the disease. She was so very determined to live. She would never even acknowledge the alternative.
Watching someone you love gradually succumb to cancer is indescribable. Like them, you determinedly hold onto hope until eventually that dreadful moment comes and realism sets in. You accept that there won't be a cure, that no miracle is going to happen, and death is, in the end, the best option to end the suffering.
So much has been discovered about cancer, and great strides forward have been made in new and more effective treatments and earlier diagnosis. For every untimely death like Deb's, there are others who are with us today because they've been treated successfully and have beaten cancer. Further research is the only answer to fight cancer, and I'm asking you to please dig deep and support me in this fund-raising.
I told Deb in February that I'd be taking part in the Race for Life 2009 to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. I wanted to do something positive to support her fight and determination. Now I shall be running in memory of her. I shall be running for hope and for life - too late for Deb, but something she wanted me to do.
I was so lucky to have her as a friend. Debbie encouraged my writing from very early days when we were at school, always convinced that one day I'd be a successful author. She never forgot this dream even when I had, and reminded me at regular intervals during our lives that I need to get on with it and fulfill my destiny. She loved Stonewylde and was one of the first people to read the early manuscripts. Praise from Deb is praise indeed - she always gave it straight!
Debbie's friendship blessed my life. She gave me kindness and unquestioning loyalty and support through thick and thin. She was the one person in my life I could always count on no matter what. We shared so many good times and happy memories together since we first met at the age of 13. I'd assumed we'd grow old together. I shall miss her more than I can imagine. Raising funds for Cancer Research is the only way I can hope to make a difference and help others to survive.
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Many thanks for your support – together we will beat cancer.
