Coast to coast walk for cancer survivor

A NANTMEL woman who beat cancer is embarking on a 200 mile plus trek later this month, in order to raise funds for two local charities.

Rhiannon Sparrow, who underwent treatment for breast cancer two years ago, is preparing to walk more than 200 miles to raise money for The Bracken Trust, in Llandrindod Wells, and the Mid Wales Tenovus Bus.

Rhiannon?s walk will take her two weeks, starting on July 20 and finishing on August 2.

Prior to the walk, Rhiannon said: ?I?m feeling a combination of apprehension and excitement leading up to the trek. I am feeling very positive and lucky for the tremendous support I have received.?

She will begin her walk at Worm?s Head on the Gower, South Wales and walking the length of Wales to Aber Falls on the North Coast.

Rhiannon?s challenge will take her over all the upland areas that make the ?spine? of Wales, crossing the Beacons, the Elenydd, Pumlimon, the Tarrens, Cadair Idris, and finally the Rhinog, Moelwyn and other mountains of Snowdonia.

She will enter Powys via the Elan Valley on July 25, before moving onto the Northern half of Wales on July 27.

Mother-of-two Rhiannon, who was diagnosed in April 2011, underwent two lumpectomies, including lymph node removal, an eventual mastectomy, and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

?I was treated at Hereford County Hospital through the Macmillan Renton Unit and their care, support, professionalism and sensitivity were outstanding,? she said.

?What was a potentially life threatening and devastating experience became a manageable and simply life changing experience, not only for me but also my family.

?It got the better of me a few times but you just have to keep going,? she added.

Rhiannon who was given the all-clear last April, has since had a second elective mastectomy to remove further risk and is now awaiting reconstruction.

Rhiannon will not be alone during any stage of the challenge, as her family, friends and husband will be with her on different days and stages of the challenge.

?This for me is all about giving something back to the services that have helped me.
?I am choosing a long path - one that takes me through my home country of Wales, taking in many of the upland areas that are close to my heart,? she said.

Rhiannon said that The Bracken Trust, in Llandrindod, is one of her chosen charities because it provided her with much needed and sympathetic support during her illness and with her lymphodoema treatment.

Rhiannon had no dealings with Tenovus during her illness but said she has chosen that cause because they are extending their Mid Wales Tenovus Bus further north in Powys.

She said: ?This will provide more and more local support and treatment to cancer patients, including chemotherapy. This will avoid the long journeys to Hereford, Cardiff or other hospitals and will greatly improve the experience for patients in Mid Wales.

?Some people can be sat all day on a bus for five minutes of treatment, it?s the last thing people need.?

Rhiannon has set herself a target of ?5,000 to raise for her chosen charities.
?I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far and for my family and friends for their immense support,? she added.

If you would like to sponsor Rhiannon can do so by visiting

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rhiannonsparrow, you can also follow Rhiannon on Twitter: @rhicoast2coast or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RhiannonSparrowsCoast2CoastForCancerWalk

Source: http://www.countytimes.co.uk:80/news/124323/coast-to-coast-walk-for-cancer-survivor.aspx

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