Daniel, Oliver and I will be taking part in the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday the 14th of October. I will be running the half marathon first, and after this, the boys and I will take part in the 3km event all wearing our best and silliest hats! Your donations will help us to get across the finishing line as we finish up doing a lap of the MCG. 

I set up the Silly Hat for Matt challenge to raise much needed funds for stomach cancer research in memory of my late husband, Matt, who passed away from a very rare type of stomach cancer (known as linitis plastica) at the age of 40 almost five years ago.

There are currently very few treatment options available for linitis plastica - only highy invasive surgery; there is also no genetic testing available to ensure early diagnosis, and as a result less than 10% of people diagnosed will survive. Unfortunately Matt was one of those unlucky ones who just didn't stand a chance. 

As for my Silly Hat for Matt challenges - so far, I have already completed two events (STADIUM STOMP, climbing 1,900 stairs at the MCG; and RUN MELBOURNE, a 10k run). But now it's time for the BIG one - MELBOURNE HALF MARATHON (21.1 km). After I finish this run, Danel, Oliver and I will also take part in the 3km event on that day. 

WHY AM I DOING THE SILLY HAT FOR MATT CHALLENGE? 

20 years ago my path crossed with that of a guy called Matt. He was one of those people who could talk to anybody, and who always brought people together. He always had ideas, he loved meeting new people and visiting far-flung places, he was well travelled and he seemed to know someone wherever he went. And if he didn’t know anybody at first, he would quickly make new friends. 

We had a great life for a long time. We lived in London, then moved to Singapore. We got married, had two boys, Daniel and Oliver. 

In 2012, after a 6-month period of experiencing heartburn, increasing stomach pain and eventually rapid weight loss, Matt was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer, called linitis plastica. 

As it turned out, this was a really nasty type of cancer. The only way to remove the tumour and to become cancer-free was to remove the whole stomach. Unfortunately, by the time the cancer had been discovered, it had already spread to outside the stomach.

Matt went through all of the options available. And here’s the thing - there were hardly any options available due to the cancer he had. But he went all in. Chemo, more chemo and then some more. With all the weird and not so wonderful side effects that go with it. And then his entire stomach was taken out. We discussed every option along the way and made a mutual decision every time. We had to do everything we could. Wanting Matt to be around to see his kids grow up. 

We got 13 months. From October 2012’s diagnosis to his death on the 18th of November 2013. He was 40, leaving behind two young boys, who were 18 months and 4 years old. In just 2 years, he went from being an active, energetic and life-loving man to being wheel-chair bound, weighing 47 kilos and so weak that he could not even throw a ball to his boys to hit or kick. And he joined the statistics of the 91% who do not survive linitis plastica. 

Please support all my challenges by making a secure online donation. Every dollar will go exclusively to the GI Cancer Institute and will be earmarked specifically to their stomach cancer research. Remember also that donations made through this platform are tax deductible (over $2).

Thank you all for your support and for helping me and the boys to reach our target! 

#sillyhatformatt #linitisplastica #stomachcancerawareness #gutsychallenge