Mother's lung cancer inspires family to organise fund-raiser

A MOTHER diagnosed with lung cancer has spoken of her pride that her children have organised a charity walk to raise both money and awareness.

Dee Machan, 60, was diagnosed in early April and since then her three children, Naomi, 21, and Nathan Coates, 24 and Katie Lewell, 36, have focused their energy on the event, which is in June.

Mrs Machan is amazed and humbled by what they are doing to help.

'Youngsters are often wrapped up in their own lives but they've made this commitment and stuck to it so I'm very proud,' she said.

* The walk from Bulwer Avenue to Salerie Corner starts at 11am on Sunday.

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A MOTHER diagnosed with lung cancer has spoken of her pride that her children have organised a charity walk to raise both money and awareness.

Dee Machan, 60, was diagnosed in early April and since then her three children, Naomi, 21, and Nathan Coates, 24 and Katie Lewell, 36, have focused their energy on the event, which is in June.

Mrs Machan is amazed and humbled by what they are doing to help.

'Youngsters are often wrapped up in their own lives but they've made this commitment and stuck to it so I'm very proud,' she said.

'It's a big undertaking organising something like this without the same backing that an organised charity would get.'

Mrs Machan is remaining upbeat during what is a difficult time for her and her family.

'I had a cough for a few months that wouldn't go away,' she explained.

'A specialist sent me for scans and he was 90% sure from the results that I had lung cancer. A bronchoscopy confirmed it.

'It was a big thing to take on board but I am at peace with it now.

'I am a smoker, so you can't be too surprised to hear that sort of news. It's not what you want to hear but I was able to deal with it.

'I started at an age when nobody knew the risks but the information on the dangers is easy to find now. I'd advise people not to do it.

'I've just tried to keep the right attitude about it. I still want to work. I started chemotherapy last week and I'm perfectly fine about it.

'It doesn't help the situation any more to be really down about it.'

It is this attitude that has helped Mrs Machan's family to cope better and channel their energy into the charity walk.

'We get a bit emotional at times but none of has have got really depressed,' said Miss Coates.

'The fact that mum has been so positive has helped us to deal with it.

'If she was just slumped in a chair and didn't want to do anything it would have been a lot worse. The idea of doing the walk shifted the focus from doom and gloom to doing something positive.

'We just want to raise awareness now and donate some money.'

Proceeds are going to the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief, and the family have asked the charity to give all the money to Bulstrode House, the PEH cancer unit.

There has been a great response to a Facebook group set up to promote the event - around 60 walkers are expected.

'Some people who can't come have donated anyway,' said Miss Lewell. 'We are so grateful for the support. I don't even know a lot of these people but they are more than willing to help,' said Mrs Machan. 'It's remarkable.

'Nathan works at Lloyds TSB and they are donating money from their dress-down days. I am a hairdresser and my clients have also given money towards it.'

* The walk from Bulwer Avenue to Salerie Corner starts at 11am on Sunday. The family will be trying to collect money and raise awareness along the way. The Lloyds TSB Foundation will match whatever is raised.