Challenges

If you turned on your TV yesterday morning, you would have seen coverage of the London Marathon. A very small proportion of the 50 000 runners were elite athletes - the winners covered the 26.2 miles in just over two hours - and just under 1 ½ hours for the wheelchair race. But most of the competitors were never going to come close to those times. Most were there to push themselves simply to complete the 26.2 miles and in so doing, face head on the considerable physical and mental challenge that the event presents to everyone who participates. Added to that, by running, many will have raised money to support causes that are dear to them, charities which have perhaps supported them or those close to them, through some of the worst times imaginable; and runners’ fundraising efforts will help to ensure that in the future, others will not have to suffer in quite the same way.

I am now going to hand over to Alicia who will explain why it matters to her that we support the Bone Cancer Research Trust this coming Friday.

If I could speak to the 15-year-old Alicia Wong and give her some advice I would say: stop moaning about school sport. Because today I would give anything to take part in school sport.

I stand before you today, not only as a student but also as a survivor. In early 2022, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer. Being closely associated with the cause, I am passionate about raising awareness for it. I urge you to join me in making a difference by donating to the Bone Cancer Research Trust this Friday. We can bring hope and support to those who need it most.

It all began in late November 2021 when I felt a throbbing pain in my right knee the day after netball practice. I ignored it, thinking it was a minor injury, and continued my routine, even rock climbing with my friends. However, the pain worsened as time passed, and a bump appeared. I started to walk with a visible limp, and I was signed off-games. At first, we thought it was a torn tendon, and I took painkillers and saw the school physiotherapist. However, the pain persisted. By mid-February it was clear I needed an MRI.

On March 9th, 2022, I was called out of class to attend the health centre. The nurse broke the news to me that I had a 6cm tumour on my proximal tibia, which is below my right knee. I was in disbelief as I had never imagined that a person as young as myself, at 15 years old, could get bone cancer. I then got referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital and had a biopsy. The report revealed that I have osteosarcoma, a type of malignant bone cancer that only around 160 people are diagnosed with each year in the UK.

I underwent chemotherapy, which lasted for eight months, starting in April. This meant I had to miss my GCSEs and the first term of my lower sixth. It was hard for my family, as my parents had to relocate from Hong Kong to the UK to care for me. They had to adapt to life in the UK and learn how to get by with their limited English, and I became their full-time translator. Most of the time, I was alone in my isolation room, and the feeling of being trapped for four days at a time, being either passed out from all the medication, vomiting or in agony, was not pleasant.

During my journey, I often wondered if amputation would be better. Sometimes, I questioned why this was happening to me and whether there was an end to this agony. An example where my self-doubt was the most prevalent would be when I was recovering from my prosthetic surgery in July. Due to a few complications with the recovery, I needed to extend my stay in the recovery ward. During those times, I wondered if my life would be better if I got an amputation. Would I be able to at least run without the risk of further complications on my prosthetic? Would I be able to enjoy sports without restricting mobility? Would I even be able to walk?

Today, I stand before you fully recovered. My experience has inspired me to pursue a career in Biomedical Science and I hope to be at university this Autumn. However, I do carry a large physical and mental scar from my journey, reminding me of the battles I fought and the strength I gained. My story is just one of many, and it is a fight that many warriors before us have fought and continue to fight with unwavering strength and determination. But we cannot fight alone.

The Bone Cancer Research Trust is a beacon of hope in this battle. It is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, tirelessly working to find better treatments, improved detection methods, and a cure. Its mission is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and support those affected by bone cancer. It makes a difference but needs our support to propel its efforts forward.

Your donation, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact. It can provide funding for vital research projects, enable the development of innovative treatments, and offer support to patients and their families as they navigate this arduous journey. Together, we can be the driving force behind life-saving discoveries and the catalyst for change in bone cancer patients.

Thank you for your attention and your support on Friday. Together, let us make a difference and bring hope to those affected by bone cancer.

There are many aspects of being a teacher that makes it one of the best jobs in the world. One of those is continually learning about young people and regularly being inspired by their ability to thrive in the face of what might seem like impossible challenge…as with the marathon runners, physical challenges but also those that are mental and emotional. Just imagine going through what Alicia has just described; the uncertainty and shock of that diagnosis two years ago, the pain, the treatment and the worry about the life changing impact. A few of you may have faced something similar, either for yourselves or for members of your family, and I can only begin to imagine how hard it must be to find the inner strength, as Alicia did, to keep going and to remain positive.

As Alicia explained, on Friday we are going to have a charity day to raise money to support the Bone Cancer Research Trust – which is understandably important to her. The charity will use our donations for research into primary bone cancer and to provide information and support for those suffering from the condition. Please bring £2, more if you are able to do so, and all donations will go to the charity which will help others like Alicia. As she has just told us, your donation, no matter how small, can make a difference – a difference to people just like Alicia.