most cancers affected person is to deal with her concern of heights and abseil 160 toes down St Thomas’ Hospital dressed as The place’s Wally to “pay again” the hospital caring for her.
Claire Stork, a jail administrator from Woolwich in south-east London, is to undertake the annual St Thomas’ Hospital abseil along with her two mates – Della Pearson and Levi Bowditch – to lift cash for Man’s Most cancers Charity, the charity that helps the hospital the place she is at present present process therapy for her most cancers.
Ms Stork and her two mates, dubbed “the get together animals”, will be part of different thrill-seekers abseiling down St Thomas’ Hospital on Friday at 5pm.
In January 2023, she was recognized with a uncommon and extremely aggressive type of thyroid gland most cancers, known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, and is at present present process therapy.
In December 2022, she underwent a six-hour operation at Man’s Hospital, the place a 12cm tumour was eliminated after she observed a lump in her neck.
The 42-year-old was impressed to tackle the feat after she noticed a poster for the abseil at Man’s Hospital.
She advised the PA information company: “I noticed the poster with abseiling, and going via my most cancers journey everybody retains saying ‘you’re so courageous doing this’.
“I’m not courageous, I’ve no alternative however to stay with it (most cancers) and I can’t change it – so why ought to I be confused?
“I’m frightened of heights and I believed, I wish to do one thing to make folks say you’re courageous and imply it.
“Plus, Man’s Hospital has actually helped me out with most cancers, from having somebody I can at all times discuss to, getting a wig for my head and everyone seems to be so type.
“I wish to pay them again for all the things that they do.”
Ms Stork and her mates confer with themselves because the get together animals due to their love for “partying and dancing”, and can gown up as The place’s Wally for the problem as they wished to do one thing “distinctive”.
“We’ve all been there for one another they usually’ve been actually supportive of me, nicely all get on so nicely,” Ms Stork mentioned.
“We’re going as The place’s Wally and hopefully are going to have a cape on our again with our names on them, that can even say not each hero wears a cape.”
Her buddy, Della Pearson, mentioned: “There’s nothing too large or too small for Claire to beat.”
To overcome her concern of heights, Ms Stork has been practising at a excessive ropes course in Allhallows Haven vacation park in Kent, along with her 12-year-old nephew John and 10-year-old niece Ruby.
“It’s about two flooring excessive, not that top, however I’m making an attempt to get the boldness and the sensation of trying down and strolling alongside the ropes,” she defined.
Ms Stork has described the medical doctors and nurses at Man’s Hospital as “wonderful”.
She mentioned: “They’re at all times there for me, all of the medical doctors and nurses are simply wonderful, like you’ll be able to’t ask for extra actually.
“They’re at all times on the go and don’t loosen up, however irrespective of how busy they’re, they’re at all times accessible to speak and aid you.
“I wish to say an enormous thanks to Man’s Most cancers, I’ve had all of the assist I would like.”
Ms Stork’s surgeon, Mr Ricard Simo, mentioned: “Since Claire’s prognosis, she has had a serious surgical procedure and really intense therapy. Regardless of this, she perseveres, and is taking over new challenges, just like the abseil.
“All of the workforce treating Claire are delighted along with her braveness, will and willpower to beat this illness.”
Ms Stork has obtained immense assist from household, mates, and her office whereas sustaining a “optimistic mindset” battling most cancers.
“I’m going to stay via the most cancers and the most cancers just isn’t going to stay via me,” she mentioned.
“I’m taking day by day because it comes, each hospital appointment; it’s been a tough journey and I’ve had my meltdowns however I’m staying optimistic.”
Alison Rulton-Reed, head of group and occasions at Man’s Most cancers Charity, added: “We’re delighted to have Claire and her workforce the ‘get together animals’ be part of us at this yr’s thrilling occasion.
“Our work is supported by beneficiant fundraisers who want to assist us gasoline innovation and assist advances in most cancers care.”
To view Ms Stork’s fundraising web page, go to: fundraise.guyscancercharity.org.uk/pf/party-animals