1000km for Ovarian Cancer Action
27/05/2011
It was just like any other Friday at Sky News. The gallery and studio were full of people overdosing on coffee to accelerate the process of getting ‘BREAKING NEWS’ on-air.
As we went into an ad-break, my phone started ringing.
“Gareth, your grandmother has passed away…”
I carried on as if nothing happened. I escaped from heartbreaking news back into the world of breaking news. Working ‘Full Gas’ was a great distraction.
We lost my beautiful nan, Brenda Winter, to Ovarian Cancer.
That is why my cousin and aunties, Amy, Sally & Penny, rode 1000km to raise funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Action.
Dad and I joined the team to share the road as they reached their thousandth kilometre. Nan & grandad would have loved to see us all on the road together after all these years.
September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. Team Biking for Brenda is on a mission to help more women survive ovarian cancer than ever before, by increasing awareness of the symptoms.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Persistent stomach pain
Persistent bloating
Difficulty eating/feeling full more quickly
Needing to wee more frequently
Nan was diagnosed just a few days before her death. If detected sooner, I think we could have shared a lot more time with her.
Meet the Team
Amy Baker
When my beautiful nana passed away, she left a pretty big hole in my life.
I spent a lot of my childhood with her, and many of my happiest memories feature her wonderful smile. She was a force for good. She taught me to see the best in everything, to value people and appreciate what everyone has to offer. I never heard her say a bad word about anyone.
It was obviously heartbreaking to lose her, but I was really angry when I found out that her cause of death, Ovarian Cancer, had been diagnosed just days before she died.
“I want women to know the symptoms, to be able to go their GPs and tell them they want to be tested. It was too late for my nan, but it does not have to be too late for others. ”
So that is why I am hugely passionate about raising money and awareness about ovarian cancer. Through cycling, I feel connected to both my grandparents and know I am spinning the wheels that they no longer can.
Since starting my mission back in 2016, I have met so many other women who have been affected by ovarian cancer. A friend of mine was diagnosed, operated on and given the all-clear within a three-month window earlier this year. This is the purpose of my cycling and campaigning.
A tribute 💐
Sally Baker
Growing up, I hated cycling. I got a moped as soon as I could.
However, after losing my mum to ovarian cancer, my daughter Amy, saw a cycle fundraising event for ovarian cancer action. We both got new bikes and started training. Along with my sister, Penny, we cycled 100km overnight to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer action.
We have now taken part in the event 3 times. One year we even cycled through thunder and lightning.
This year we were going to take part in Ride London 100. However, the virus forced us to find a new way to continue our campaigning.
Please can you spare a £1 (or a bit more if you can!) To help OCA with their life-saving work.
Sally.
Penny Spooner
Mum gave me my spirit of adventure. She never questioned my remote solo travels and was always fully supportive. When I was robbed in Bali, she wanted to say “Come home.” but instead drove to the Australian Embassy in London to transfer some money to me. That was typical of her.
It was mum that encouraged her and Grandads amazing travels and long cycle rides. It was Nan who did Land ends John O'Groats and raised money for my adventure club to help buy a new minibus.
I was with Grandad at the hospital when they diagnosed mum with ovarian cancer. Dad asked about treatment. The doctor shook his head. That was Wednesday. She died on Friday.
No one should go through that. Looking back, the symptoms were obvious. She had all of them.
Dad would have been proud of Amy’s campaigning ideas, but it is what mum would have done.
Penny.
We spent as much time talking in the Café as we did riding around Windsor. After so long, we had a lot to catch up on. I didn’t want to say goodbye. I could have ridden & chatted all day.
Hopefully, the world will maintain enough balance for us to do this regularly.
I’m so proud of what the team have achieved so far, the cause they are supporting, the lives they have saved and for continuing the values passed down from nan.
Please help team ‘Biking for Brenda’. Share this story with someone you know to increase awareness of the symptoms.
If you feel compelled to take action, a small donation would be most welcome.
Thank you, Nan and grandad, for raising our family on two wheels and gifting your thirst for adventure.
Gareth.
Nan Brenda, Auntie Sally, Uncle Peter, Dad Steven, Auntie Penny & Grandad Martyn.