AN AWARD-winning Worcester nurse will swap the wards for the streets of the capital when she tackles the London Marathon in aid of Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer.
Colorectal clinical nurse, Bernice Kent is taking on the challenge of a lifetime on Sunday, April 22 to raise cash for two good causes close to her heart.
The 30-year-old was awarded the Gary Logue Colorectal Nurse Award from Beating Bowel Cancer last September for her inspirational work with bowel cancer patients.
She is raising awareness of bowel cancer because she has seen the effects of the disease and knows the importance of early diagnosis to those with bowel cancer.
“I feel so lucky and privileged to be able to support people during the life changing and devastating time a bowel cancer diagnosis brings,” she said.
“This job has given me a different way of looking at life, and the way my patients face up to the challenge is such an inspiration – whatever I can do to support them I will.
“Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer is there for everyone affected by bowel cancer, and plays a massive part in helping so many of my patients.
“The charity is amazing and has a positive influence to everyone who takes advantage of their services. I can’t think of a charity which is more deserved of some awareness and funds raised towards it. Their campaign #nevertooyoung is particularly close to my heart at the moment as I have been looking after younger patients and the support and care needs they need can be very different.
“It is such an amazing opportunity to run the London Marathon as my first marathon for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer. The training has been harder than I ever imagined but also incredibly rewarding and surprising at what my body can do. I have had to work out how to fuel my runs and manage my time.
“I am half way to reaching my fund-raising target, with raffles coming up and I’m manning a stand in the hospital at the beginning of April for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, including bake sales and sweep stakes of my finishing time. I have been incredibly lucky with the support I have received from my family friends, colleagues, patients and the charity.”
More than 44 people die from bowel cancer every day in the UK and it’s the nation’s second biggest cancer killer.
However the prognosis is positive for many patients if its caught early.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bernicerunslondonmara2018 to make a donation.
