rivers2cross

Chapter 10 of The Record features Deborah Alsina, who is the Chief Excutive of Independent Age. When we met in March 2018 Deborah was the CEO of Bowel Cancer UK. I’ve never anyone who goes that extra mile to represent the interests of so many people like Deborah. She is so much more than the incredibly hard working individual that she is, and although she left Bowel Cancer UK for the exciting new challenge with Independent Age, Deborah remains a wonderful friend to so many people in the bowel cancer community.

When Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer and I began my fundraising for Beating Bowel Cancer in 2012, Deborah made contact on social media and would follow Mum’s progress. It mattered not one jot that I was fundraising for a different charity, and that meant a lot and has stayed with me ever since. I was very happy when at the beginning of 2018 Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer merged. Maybe not so happy a few months later when I ended up doing a skydive for Bowel Cancer UK!

I met Deborah not long after the merger, so as well as all the charitable work being done by the charity, it was a very busy time bringing the two charities together, and looking for a new permanent home. It was fascinating talking to her about all the developments happening in the bowel cancer world, and her passion and enthusiasm was catching, and her deep caring nature shown to all those affected by bowel cancer was obvious. I learnt much during the meeting.

It’s a terrific chapter in the book, and Deborah also has a wonderful first record. She’s very much someone who grew up with 80s music, but her first record is an absolute monster track from 1979.

The Record was written in memory of my mum who died of bowel cancer in August 2016. All profits are donated to Bowel Cancer UK, and over £870 has been raised to date. I am hoping to reach £1000 during 2020. Click here to see all the ways to order a copy of the book.

Bowel cancer claims 16,000 lives in the UK, and is the second biggest cancer killer. However if caught early at stage 1 it is very treatable, and the five year survival rate is over 90%. When detected at the late stage 4 the five year survival rate drops dramatically to 7%. This shows how crucial early diagnosis is to getting a better outcome. Knowing the symptoms is so important.