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Ann
Gumery |
Fate
works in extraordinary ways, a statement which is very apt in the
case of Ann Gumery.
Having tried various jobs in the past and becoming more and more
unsettled in her role within a car hire company, Ann decided it was
time to try something new which would bring greater satisfaction
to her day to day life.
Fate had it in mind she attend an interview with a local charity
for the position of fund raiser. Unbeknownst to Ann, the charity
was in fact Macmillan Cancer Support. Not too extraordinary I hear
you say but this chance interview allowed Ann to face her demons
about this particular disease whilst raising thousands of pounds
for Macmillan Cancer Support along the way.
She says: “My mother, Lily, died of cancer and it was found
that my father also had cancer but died before being diagnosed after
being involved in a road traffic accident. My son David was also
diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer, at the age of eight months
old, which is a type of muscle cancer.
“At the time I was a young thing of 21 years of age and being
told by doctors that my baby was ill and there was nothing I could
do was unbearable. When David was diagnosed I felt alone and confused.
There was no-one that could sit with us to spend time explaining
in lay-man’s terms what was happening to our baby and how the
disease would progress and, in turn, how this would affect our family
as a whole.
“However, over time, we came to accept David’s condition
and chose to try for another baby but admittedly, were petrified
that they, too, would also be affected by the same cancer, but thankfully,
this was not the case for Jonathon. The decision to have another
baby was the best thing we could have done because Jonathon was great
entertainment and company for his brother, David, right up until
he died at the age of four years old. Having Jonathon gave us a focus
after David died and encouraged us to extend our family in the form
of Christopher and finally Lauren.
“The cause of David’s cancer still perplexes the medical
profession with extensive research still being carried out. What
has progressed though is the way families are supported during the
varying stages of the cancer disease. That’s why Macmillan
nurses are invaluable to families today and why the aim of the charity
is so important in that it hopes to provide Macmillan services for
every cancer patient.”
It would appear that working for this charity has given Ann a new
lease of life and an incentive to help others who find themselves
in the same predicament as herself. When viewing Ann’s website
www.justgiving.com/annkili it puts you to shame the events she’s
been involved with.
She’s crossed the Sahara Desert, which is a 100km walk in the
ruthless heat to raise a staggering £9,500 back in 2002. In
2004 she contracted the fund raising bug again and chose to climb
the Inca trail in Peru, which involves a climb of 70,000 steps during
a five day trek, although Ann tells me it was all worth it after
receiving a cheque for £5,400 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
And so on 16th February 2007, Ann plans to climb the shining mountain,
Kilimanjaro, a daunting task of a 5,895m climb in the hope of raising
as much cash as possible.
She says: “Attempting to climb Kilimanjaro is an overwhelming
task and possibly my greatest challenge yet. I’ll be 48 years
old two days after reaching the summit – which will be a good
excuse for a bit of a celebration! I’ve been training hard
and am dedicated to succeeding. I’ve had enormous support from
so many people including my family, friends, the local pub, my personal
trainer and the abundance of donations made by so many people. I
never say no to a donation so if anyone is interested, they can sponsor
me via my website or by contacting me on the number below.”
When I caught up with Ann she was busy making last minute plans for
the ‘World’s biggest coffee morning’ held on Friday
29th September 2006, which simplistically was an event which made
coffee, baked cakes and changed lives, according to the Macmillan
website. The event comprised various coffee mornings all over the
country with a range of celebrities also volunteering their services
to help make the day a success. Ann’s team held events at the
Irish Centre in Digbeth, at a local football club and at various
cancer establishments throughout the West Midlands in the hope of
raising funds to promote awareness of Macmillan Cancer Support. Details
of this event and other past and future fund raising events can be
viewed by visiting www.macmillian.org.uk.
It would appear that people’s viewpoint on cancer has changed
remarkably. There’s greater understanding about the disease.
More in depth research has led to people living longer therefore
extending the time families have together. The NHS Cancer Plan (1999),
which identified the need to invest in cancer services to reduce
death rates and improve survival, has clearly effected cancer patients’ and
their families’ experiences when faced with the disease. But
for me, people like Ann who offer support daily in a reassuring,
practical and empathetic way are the most important part of the equation.
It could be argued that fate played a hand in Ann’s life but
it could also be argued that perhaps her past experiences of losing
precious people to cancer has only highlighted her temperament which
oozes generosity, unselfishness, compassion and a dedication to raising
funds in a manner that puts most of us to shame.
Good luck in February Ann.
For further information contact Ann Gumery on 0121 742 6393.
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