Jane Tomlinson, a mother of three, a loving wife, a radiographer at Leeds General Infirmary, a British campaigner and fund raiser for cancer charities, a remarkable woman who stood up against a terminal disease until she left us on Monday, the 3rd of September 2007.

As headlines usually suggest at such circumstances she lad lost her battle against cancer but I find this way of expression so sad. Jane did not lose her battle. She won it. She raised so much money, and more importantly so much awareness in her cause and she lived her life to the full. Knowing her mortality, yet never giving up on her life, clinging to it till the last minute and enjoying every second of it, making every breath worthy of living. If we look at ourselves, or anyone around us, how many of us actually lead such meaningful lives? So Jane did not lose her life in her battle. She won her life over and over again!

First diagnosed with breast cancer in July 1990, then told it had spread and now was  incurable on 31 August 2000, Jane had had four courses of chemotherapy in her last 6 years, the last cure  finising on 27 April 2007.  As a result of the drug regimes, she also developed chronic heart disease.
Despite her incurable cancer she completed a full Ironman triathlon (4km swim, 180km bicycle ride and a 42.2km run) inside 17 hours. She had completed two half Ironmans, and the London Marathon three times, as well as the New York Marathon and three London Triathlons. She is the only person known to have ever taken part in a marathon while on chemotherapy.

Jane received numerous awards for her efforts including:

  • An MBE and subsequently a CBE by the Queen
  • The Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2002
  • Twice recognised at the Sportswoman of the Year Awards
  • A Great Briton Award
  • Voted the most Inspirational Woman in Britain in 2003
  • A Pride of Briton Award in 2005

 

Jane raised over £1,500,000 for charities including Macmillan Cancer Relief, SPARKS, Damon Runyon Cancer Research, Yorkshire Cancer Centre, Martin House Hospice, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Hannah House.

Jane taught us all that  “Death doesn’t arrive with the prognosis.” With her amazing determination and bravery she became the symbol of  genuine hope for many people. Hope that can be life changing, life saving. Optimism and bravery was two words that can forever be associated with her and I find her just amazing. A true inspiration, a real hero.

Sleep well Jane. You did well. Your family and your loved ones, including every single person you touched with your sparkling bravery must be proud of you, and priviledged to have known you.

PS: Here is a couple of links for whose lives have been touched by cancer:
www.janesappeal.com
www.cancerresearchuk.org
www.macmillan.org.uk

And another fundraising attempt by my friend Guillem Bernat. He is going to run at the Great North Run for Leukaemia Research.
Please sponser him on: www.justgiving.com/guillembernat