15/03/2010
SOUTH Yorkshire teenager Diane Wilson has pledged to raise £10,000 for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, to say a very special ‘thank you’ for the care the hospital is giving her mum.

The 16-year-old admits she’s not particularly sporty, but that has not stopped her from signing up to the charity’s hugely popular Dragon Boat Regatta and at least seven other demanding physical challenges this year.

Diane’s mum also called Diane, aged 45, has a rare form of cancer called trophoblastic disease and has been treated at Weston Park Hospital with chemotherapy since she was diagnosed in 2009.

Seeing how caring medics have looked after her mum has made young Diane from Thorne, near Doncaster, determined to pull out all the stops and support as many events as possible this year.

She said: “I know and understand how much the money means to them - the hospital is doing so much for my mum and that’s priceless to me.

“Now I have set myself a goal and I thought instead of raising £100 why not try for £10,000? It’s a lot of money and I’m determined to do my best to meet my goal,” said Diane.

The determined teenager will push herself to the limit, taking part in a whole series of physically demanding events, including the charity’s annual Dragon Boat race at Rother Valley Country Park on June 5.

Dozens of colourfully decorated boats containing teams of 20 people compete by paddling against each other across the lake, in a thrilling event which draws thousands of spectators. Entry is now open and teams are being urged to sign up quickly as this is one of the most popular of the charity’s events.

Diane will also be taking part in two skydives, and a series of 10k, 5k and 3k walks and runs - all for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

“I’m not very sporty but I want to do some thing to help. I’ve seen how dedicated everyone is at the hospital and I know how important it is for the charity to receive funds so that it can support patients like my mum,” said Diane.

“I suppose I could have chosen just one event but I like to push myself and I thought why not sign up for as many as possible? At the events where I can’t take part – like the golf day - I’m going to be a volunteer. It’s my way of helping them and saying thank you for the all amazing work the hospital does,” she said.

Diane senior who is currently taking a break from chemotherapy, appreciates all the care she receives from Weston Park Hospital and is proud of her daughter’s desire to help others. She was diagnosed with trophoblastic cancer last March.
Doctors believe the rare disease which occurs in pregnancy developed when she was carrying her son Thomas, now aged nine.

She said: “The nurses are fantastic, you’re not just another patient, they have time for you and they treat you so well. At Weston Park you become one of the family.”

“Diane is one in a million. Not everyone could cope with their mum needing treatment but she’s accepted it and risen to challenge and now she wants to help others too. I cannot express how proud I am of her.”

Young Diane has been heavily involved in her mum’s care, helping with medication and accompanying her on visits to hospital. But she stressed she’s part of a family effort with dad Thomas, 44, her brother Thomas, nine, and other members of the extended family all pitching into help and support one another.

“We are a very close knit family and we all do all we can to help and support each other, said Diane.

“I want to show that there are 16-year-old girls who want to make a difference, and to make my mum and my community proud of me,” she added.

Diane wants the money raised to be split to help trophoblastic research, and Weston Park Hospital’s teenage cancer unit.

Rachel Thorpe, director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “Diane is an inspiration to us all. We are all impressed with her determination to pull out all the stops and get involved in so many fundraising events. The charity relies on dedicated volunteers like Diane to raise vital funds to support the work of Weston Park Hospital. Come and join her by signing up for the Dragon Boat Regatta. It’s a fantastic event and you’re guaranteed to have a great day out.”

To support Diane’s fundraising; visit her fundraising page www.justgiving.com/diane-chick-wilson.