Friends and supporters of a University of Manchester student midwife diagnosed with a rare type of cancer are to raise money for charity on a 5K run in Media City.
Early this year, Claudia Boardman, 22, received the devastating news she had Rhabdomyosarcoma – a less common type of soft tissue cancer, which can appear in any part of the body.
They will join the Media City 5K RunThrough, on 31 August from 7pm-9pm raising money for the charity Sarcoma UK.
The student, who was in her final year of the midwifery course, had to make the difficult decision to interrupt her studies to receive extensive treatment for the illness.
After having back pain for 6 months, one morning Claudia woke up and realised she had lost the feeling in most of her lower body.
A visit to A&E revealed a large tumour on her spine, which was pressing against her spinal cord and chest.
She was immediately transferred to a different hospital where she had emergency surgery to have part of the tumour removed.
The operation was successful, but a biopsy revealed the tumour was a rhabdomyosarcoma.
On average, only112 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma are diagnosed every year in England, and now, Claudia is having nine rounds of intense chemotherapy, more major surgery to remove the rest of the tumour and radiotherapy. She will eventually need more chemotherapy following the treatment.
Claudia said: “I chose midwifery because I always wanted to do a rewarding job supporting and empowering women, and what better way to do that than helping bring life into the world.
Being diagnosed with cancer meant I had to interrupt from my university course and my world had been turned completely upside down.
“I started treatment in March and lost all of my hair just 2 weeks after starting treatment.
“Fast forward to June, and I am on my fifth round chemotherapy, with 4 to go.”
Her friend and fellow student Katie Needham said: “As Claudia’s peers, we were all shocked and upset that she was having to leave the course indefinitely.
“It has been difficult knowing that her and her family were faced with so many operations and appointments.
“But organising the race has given us something to focus on and do something positive both for Claudia and Sarcoma UK.”
She added: “Any donation, no matter how small would be appreciated as a show of support to Claudia and her amazing family.”
Louisa Morgan, Events Manager at Sarcoma UK, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Katie, Claudia and their peers at the University of Manchester for taking on this challenge.
“Around 5,300 people in the UK are diagnosed with sarcoma cancer each year, and sadly very few people recognise its signs and symptoms. Sarcoma UK relies on generous voluntary donations, and the energy and imagination of our tireless fundraisers and supporters.
“The money raised by Katie and the team will help us to fund vital research to improve outcomes for everyone affected by sarcoma.”
You can donate by visiting the page here
* This article was originally published here
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