A Ferndown cancer survivor who feared her stoma would prevent her from enjoying the hobby she loved, is back in the water and urging people to sign up for Swimathon 2023. <\/p>\n
Tuppy Hill will swim 15k this May at Canford Sports Centre to raise money for Cancer Research UK and the end-of-life charity, Marie Curie.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s urging others to make a splash too by taking part in the world\u2019s largest annual fundraising swim for the two much-loved causes. <\/p>\n
Swimathon takes place from 12 -14 May at pools and venues across Dorset and the UK \u2013 including Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre – Christchurch, Ferndown Leisure Centre, Rossmore Leisure Centre – Poole, Weymouth Swimming Pool, Blandford Leisure Centre, Oxley Sports Centre – Sherborne and Poole Swimming Pool.<\/p>\n
Tuppy began supporting the challenge with her brother after a number of their family members had experienced cancer.<\/p>\n
Tuppy said: \u201cMy mum had breast cancer and then secondary liver cancer, my dad had bowel cancer followed by skin cancer and oesophageal cancer and three of my four grandparents had cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen in 2017 I began experiencing some tummy problems myself. I put them down to IBS and the fact I had a stressful job but when I saw blood in my stools, I went to my GP. I was referred to hospital straight away and a colonoscopy revealed a tumour in my bowel.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing that I had cancer was absolutely awful. I was in complete denial at first and I thought I was going to die. I had been with my partner, Ian Metcalfe, for 30 years and we decided to get married, I was so worried that something might happen to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a type of chemotherapy at Poole General Hospital called oxaliplatin which Cancer Research UK scientists played a key role in developing and took a drug called capecitabine whilst having radiotherapy which CRUK researchers led the first-in-human clinical trials for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tumour disappeared and it was decided that I didn\u2019t need surgery at that point but was put on a \u2018watch and wait\u2019 programme. But in 2018 the tumour returned so I had an operation to remove the cancerous tissue and was given a stoma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was trepidatious about swimming for the first time with my stoma in case it leaked and I was very conscious of a bulge inside my swimming costume. However, the staff at my pool were so supportive and gave me the courage to get back in the water.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was advised to do a couple of lengths but I managed five or six and thought to myself, \u2018I\u2019ve done it now!\u2019 Then I began to build it up again from there. Swimming is my go to place and I enjoy going to the pool or swimming in the sea two or three times a week which also enables me to keep some levels of fitness, another key weapon against cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
By sharing her story she hopes to inspire people across Dorset to get off the starting blocks and help support the charities close to her heart. <\/p>\n
Tuppy said: \u201cSwimathon is important to me because it\u2019s something I love to do and it funds the work of charities like Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie who have supported me and my family members who have all been affected by cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. It really doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers of all ages and abilities grab their caps and costumes to help thousands of families across the UK.\u201d <\/p>\n
Swimathon has raised more than \u00a355m for charity since it began in 1986. With rising energy costs putting some community pools at risk of closure, not only does the event support vital causes, \u00a32.50 from the entry fee of everybody taking part at an official Swimathon venue is donated to help protect these pools for the future. <\/p>\n
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Dorset, Elisa Mitchell, said: \u201cWhether you supercharge your swim and take on the 30.9k challenge or 5k is more in your lane, with Swimathon there\u2019s a distance to suit everyone. There are also lots of great benefits to taking part, not least the chance to enjoy the water while supporting people like Tuppy. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime*, but all of us can support the research that will beat it.\u202fFrom proving the link between smoking and cancer, to laying the foundations for modern radiotherapy \u2013 our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years. And we\u2019re not stopping now. That\u2019s why we\u2019re urging swimmers to dive in, raise money and help us keep making new discoveries and breakthroughs. Together we will beat cancer.\u201d <\/p>\n
Marie Curie\u2019s Director of Community Fundraising, Jayne Waterhouse, said: \u201cSwimathon is an iconic event in the Marie Curie calendar and one we all look forward to every year. The exciting and inclusive challenge sees thousands of people take the plunge with sponsored swims up and down the country, whilst raising money to help Marie Curie support those affected by terminal illness. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe money that Marie Curie receives through Swimathon fundraisers goes towards helping our nurses, bereavement counsellors, and support line staff to deliver vital care and support to people with a terminal illness and their families across the UK. Do something amazing for your health and well-being and for people across the UK who are dealing with terminal illness \u2013 sign up for Swimathon.\u201d <\/p>\n