Blood cancer patient from Worksop to take on Three Peaks Challenge with friends for charity

Georgia Mcfarlane-Betts from Worksop will be joined by 13 of her friends in walking 24.5 miles on Saturday 14 September to raise money for the only charity in the UK dedicated to lymphoma.

It is a cause close to her heart, as Georgia herself received a diagnosis of this type of blood cancer in 2022.

Lucy Cundy, Rachel Maxwell, Florence White, Oscar Footitt, Morgan Thickitt, Isabella Cooper, Niall Davison, Nathan McElroy, Sasha Aitchison ,Charlotte

Lily ,Ryan Plant ,Elizabeth Hebblewhite and Jack Ingram will join Georgia on the 24.5 mile trek.

Her friends have also been touched by cancer in some way and will be taking on the challenge to show their support for their loved ones affected by a cancer diagnosis.

“I had never heard of lymphoma before I was diagnosed” says Georgia, 24. “I didn't even realise it was a blood cancer until further into my diagnosis. At first, I didn’t have any of the typical symptoms of lymphoma, like night sweats or itchy skin. Looking back, the only thing that perhaps I did experience was fatigue but even then it felt nothing more than just day- to- day life making me feel a bit tired. I then found a lump on my neck, and upon visiting my GP I was referred to the hospital. Further tests then confirmed a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.”

“It was a really emotional time” she continues. “To be told that I had cancer, and that the treatment meant I was going to lose my hair was really hard for me to digest. I went on to receive chemotherapy over six months, and was told in February 2023 that my lymphoma had gone into remission. Lymphoma Action were such a help for me throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I remember we were given a Lymphoma Action information book at the hospital which my mum read and found a lot of comfort from.

“Now, a year and a half later, I feel I am back to the old me with a spark for life again” she says.

“We are all looking forward to the Three Peaks Challenge, and the sense of achievement from pushing ourselves to raise money and awareness for a great Charity close to our hearts. If there's one thing I can take out of my own lymphoma experience, it's being able to make people aware as I didn't know what lymphoma was and what to look out for."

Laura Thompson-Watts, Challenge Events Fundraiser at Lymphoma Action said: “We are so grateful to Georgia for her support and wish her and the team all the best ahead of the challenge.

“Every 26 minutes one of us is diagnosed with lymphoma. Thanks to amazing people like Georgia, we can continue to provide vital information and support to make sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.”

Visit: www.lymphoma-action.org.uk/BCAM

Georgia’s fundraising page