6 September 2005
A little over four years ago, my world exploded when my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.
I didn't expect it. I wasn't prepared for it, and before I knew it, he was gone.
I wish I'd known more about what was going to happen. I wish I'd known a bit more about what to expect. I wish I didn't still feel like it was so fucking unfair, but I do.
I was apoplectic with rage earlier this year when I heard about the Maggie's Centres charity turning down a donation because of the actions of a certain "religious" group. It still makes me angry to think about it.
I decided then that I would find a way to raise money for the London centre that they're trying to build. I could have just given them a few quid from my salary and left it at that, but it didn't seem quite enough. When I saw they'd launched a beautiful bracelet instead of a cheap plastic wristband I thought I'd buy one, but that didn't seem quite enough either.
Then I heard about the Metro Life Hike.
So next Friday, the 16th of September, starting from 10pm, I'll be walking 17 miles, following the route of the circle line, and getting to see inside some of London's most fabulous buildings on the way. My camera will, of course, be going with me, spare batteries charged and compact flash cards packed.
I have no idea whether this is a really stupid thing for me to attempt to do. I have no idea whether my legs will hold out for 17 miles. I have no idea whether I'll be able to walk the next day if I do manage to last the course.
What I do know is that I'm determined to do it and I want to raise as much money as I possibly can, which is where you folks come in.
Please, sponsor me.
It doesn't have to be a lot, but whatever you can afford. I would appreciate it, but the people at Maggie's will appreciate it more, as will the people who, for whatever reason, come to find themselves in need of the very valuable service they'll provide when the centre is finally built.
My initial target is £250, which is what they ask each participant to raise, but I'd like to try and get more than that, so please, pass the link along.
Thank you.
I will definitely sponsor you. 17 miles is an awful, awful long way - I will be worrying about you all day. Actually I wish I could do it with you.
I'm up for a mean fiver. Hope the sun shines for you.
If the sun shines at 3am I'll make sure I get a picture for you ... :-)
Who are you angry with? The "christians" for being so selfish, or the charity for cutting off its nose to spite its face?
Unlike a lot of people I'm really, really lucky that no one in my immediate family has suffered from cancer (plenty of other fatal illnesses but not cancer).
However, I have very close friends who were affected by cancer in their family and I know the enormous strain it puts on their families.
Also I spose if I was ever diagnosed with cancer, the centre at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, would be my local place of care, so I'm more than happy to help with fundraising for its build.
I'm angry because I believe that it's utterly reprehensible to force your opinions on others in the manner in which that particular organisation did in all of the hoo-ha over the JS opera.
I'm angry because it takes a special kind of arrogance to tell others that they are "bad people" because they don't have the same beliefs and/or belief system as they do.
I'm angry because of the sheer hypocrisy displayed - where "love thy neighbour" only happens if that "neighbour" fits into the narrow confines of what they deem is an acceptable way of living or who they deem is an acceptable person.
I'm angry because you don't EVER make people who are sick and/or dying a pawn in that kind of spiteful little game - if you don't agree with someone else's beliefs, that's fine - go take it up with them and argue it til your blue in the face and your tongue drops off. You most certainly do not hold another, entirely innocent, group to ransom.
Don't get me wrong - I passionately believe in free speech and if necessary I will fight for everyone's right to say/write/express through the medium of dance whatever they think, even if I disagree with it in the strongest terms.
So they can say what they like - they can shout and scream from the rooftops that they think that accepting donations from this kind of people or that kind of people is wrong, but when you try and seriously stop people from accepting money intended to help people from this place or that person because you don't agree with their opinions, then that starts to become bullying and intimidation and that's just not acceptable in any way, shape or form.
I'm not angry at the charity, which dealt with the situation in the best way they possibly could. In turning down that donation and making the reasons public, they not only raised awareness of their organisation and their cause, but they showed the "religious" organisation up to be a bunch of small minded, selfish, arrogant, bigots and more than likely made far more money for their cause than they might have done if they'd accepted the £3,000 in the first place.
I didn't choose to support them because they lost out on £3,000 because of a bunch of bigots. I chose to support them because I believe in their cause, I believe in what they're trying to do, and because they took some very sour lemons and turned them into lemonade.
Beautifully explained Pix. I remember the situation well and believe that religion is a personal choice and should not be rammed down the throat of anyone else. Respect for each others belief must always come first whether or not they believe or not.
Put me down for a fiver.
I hadn't heard of maggie's centres but they sound like a really possitive way of dealing with, and living with cancer. Good for you Pix.
I considered doing this myself, but chickened out. Here's £5 to assuage the guilt. Good luck. Blog boldly.
A bit late in the day, I know, but at least I got my donation in before you actually started walking. :) Good luck!
... the online home and (not very) alter(ed)-ego of Ann McMeekin, a recently freelance Web Accessibility Consultant.
... passionate about many things, most of which will turn up on this site at some time or other.
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