Student and her family putting one-foot in front of the other for cancer charity
A GCU student is set to take on The Kiltwalk in memory of her aunt and to help raise awareness of a rare cancer.
Third year Radiotherapy and Oncology student LJ McGowan’s Aunt Tricia passed away in February after a short battle with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).
She said: “My auntie was a hairdresser in the West End of Glasgow and created so many friendships throughout her career. She actually inspired me to do hairdressing when I originally left school and I’m still a fully qualified hairdresser now.
“My gran also passed away ten years ago with lung cancer, and she was so thankful for the support of the radiographers. That led to me wanting to do it as a career. We have been massively affected by cancer and it’s left a big mark on us.”
Family and friends will join LJ on the 22.7 mile walk from Glasgow to Balloch on Sunday 30th April in a bid to raise as much money as possible for AMMF - The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity.
LJ said: “It’s been really tough to take because she passed away only 14-weeks after the cancer diagnosis. For the majority of people that get this cancer it’s too late by the time there’s a diagnosis.
“The symptoms are very normal and wide-ranging: jaundice, itchy skin, darker urine, paler stool, feeling tired, loss of appetite and pain in your stomach. We want to make people aware and that was the reason for choosing AMMF.”
Eight hours of walking may not be an activity of choice for many on a Sunday, but LJ insists she is looking forward to the challenge.
She said: “We didn’t just want to do a normal JustGiving page. We wanted to do something that we actually had to work for. Going to the gym and general training has played a big part in us preparing to walk the 22.7 miles.
“We actually had a big family walk recently, which was really nice. I’ve been trying to do 20,000 steps Monday to Friday and then going out each week adding an extra hour on - I’m up at five hours now.”
LJ added: “It has been difficult trying to motivate myself when the weather’s been rubbish. I’ve got my waterproof jacket and waterproof boots. I try and do my walk first thing in the morning and I don’t even look out at the weather before I step out the door – there are no excuses!
“I’ve never really done anything like The Kiltwalk before. Race for Life was probably the closest thing but that was a 5k, and only took an hour. I’ve got the plasters, walking socks and even walking sticks ready… we’re definitely well-prepared!”
Help LJ and her family reach their £2,000 fundraising target here
By Ross Clark
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