It's Only a Matter of LIME

G'Day we are Steve & Digger from Team "It's Only a Matter of LIME!" - I am a 59-year-old gent and Digger is a 2-year-old female, Black Labrador Cross, who loves a walk.

Together we have taken up the challenge to make a difference. We want to raise awareness about Lymphoma, which is cancer of the lymphocytes (the white blood cells that help to fight infection). Lymphocytes are found in a liquid called lymph which travels throughout our body in the lymphatic system (a series of tubes, nodes and organs such as the spleen and thymus that are part of our immune system).

Our target for 2021 is to walk 2021Km and to raise $6000 (100 times my age next birthday). It is a big ask for an old fella and my young mate Digger, but it is nothing compared to the struggle of facing CANCER.

Cancer has come close to home on many occasions during my life. My mum died from Breast Cancer when I was 12. My wife was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in 2016 and following a right-side radical nephrectomy (surgical removal of the right kidney and surrounding tissue) she is doing well. In 2018 my Dad died from Cancer at 82. But what really knocked my wife and I for a six, was when our daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with Stage IV Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, in March 2020 at the age of 24. Lauren was working and living in London, England at the time, and to complicate matters it was right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the start of the lockdown of international travel. This made it very difficult, but we managed to bring her home to Australia, and she started treatment in April 2020.

So what’s is all this walking about?

Well in early in 2020, Digger and I participated in the MARCH CHARGE for Cancer. During March we had a target of walking 200km and raising $1000, in the end we walked 211km and raised $1049.00 for the Cancer Council of Australia. It was in the middle of the charge that we got the news that Lauren had Cancer.

And then in September 2020 we again walked for Cancer. We had a target to walk 250Km and raise $3000 during September which is Lymphoma Month; a month of ACTION dedicated to putting Lymphoma in the Limelight. In the end we walked 251 KM and raised an amazing $2371.94 for Lymphoma Australia.

And who are Lymphoma Australia?

Each day 17 Australian’s receive a Lymphoma diagnosis and if you or a loved one has been touched by Lymphoma you can call the National Lymphoma Nurse Support Line, join our closed Facebook group – Lymphoma Down Under, sign up for our e news or request our free resources to ensure you have the information you need.

Our Lymphoma Australia Nurses are professional, qualified nurses who care for patients across Australia. These Lymphoma specialist nurses deliver an essential service to patients and cancer nurses. Lymphoma Australia nurses can help you navigate the lymphoma journey and connect you with others and the appropriate support networks

With more than 80 different subtypes of Lymphoma, both diagnosis and treatment options can be confusing. Lymphoma Australia, in conjunction with our medical advisory board, helps patients and their families to understand their diagnosis and treatment options. We provide information packs to patients and hospitals and host education days and webinars to help people better understand Lymphoma.

We will never let anyone face Lymphoma or Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) alone!

When we first learnt of Lauren’s diagnosis, we had NO IDEA what the hell Lymphoma was, all we knew was that it was Cancer. As we started to come to the realisation that our baby girl had Cancer, we started to Google what it was and how were we going to support her. One of the first sites that came up was the Lymphoma Australia website. I started reading and started to understand just what an enormous battle she was facing, but how were we going to support her. And on a personal note, how was I going to deal with all the uncertainty, fear and emotions of being a Cancer Carer. I started to engage with others, both patents and carers on the Lymphoma Australia Facebook group. By talking to these other people who were also touched by this illness, I started to understand more and started to understand that what I was feeling was very normal and the support I received made me stronger and better equipped to help Lauren.

And so I'm inspired by the work of Lymphoma Australia and wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in Putting Lymphoma in the Limelight, whilst doing my part in TELLING CANCER WHERE TO GO! So Please help Digger and I, and by helping us you Lymphoma Australia. You can do this by giving as little as $20, or giving whatever, you can, using the 'DONATE NOW' button. The more people that know about Lymphoma Australia, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot to me to have your support!

Oh and why the name "It's Only a Matter of LIME!" well because Lime is the colour used by Lymphoma Australia in all that they do to raise awareness.

Thanks

Steve&Digger

4LOZ