Mandeep Gill will be walking to raise money for mouth cancer next month after being inspired by the death of her sister who recently lost an 18-month battle with the disease.
The 32-year-old, of Warwick Gates, is taking on the ten kilometre challenge in London on November 19 not only to raise funds but also awareness about the condition, which took her older sister's life in June.
She was 34 when she died.
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This is what I thinkSEND US YOUR TRIBUTESIf you would like to send us a tribute to Harleen, please click on the following link:
Click here to email your report Miss Gill said: "I am still trying to get over her death but I wanted to make sure that people are aware of what mouth cancer does.
"It is very serious and has a 50 per cent mortality rate."
Harleen Dhillon, Mandeep's sister, was pregnant at the time she was diagnosed with mouth cancer in December 2004.
She waited until her baby was born before undergoing treatment to remove the tumour.
Miss Gill, who works for IBM, said: "Everyone knows about breast cancer and its dangers but mouth cancer has a higher proportion of deaths per number.
"I am doing the walk in memory of my sister but I want to try an help other families from going through the same thing."
Hundreds of other walkers will turn out in Hyde Park to walk, or run or jog, the course.
Miss Gill added: "I haven't done any training yet but I successfully finished the five kilometre walk for breast cancer at the racecourse earlier this years so I think I know what to expect."
Dr Vinod Joshi, founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, said: "A quarter of mouth cancer cases are not associated with any known risk factor, hence the need for vigilance.
"Walking is excellent exercise in the fight for against cancer."
To sponsor Mandeep email
mgill2001@hotmail.com or contact the Courier.
Tribute to HarleenI would just like to say that Harleen was a fantastic person. Her character really showed towards the end - I have never met such a strong-willed and determined person. She leaves behind a loving husband and son, family and friends.
The story does not just end with the person passing away, or if you're lucky to be cured, but also with the people who have been left behind having to deal with their loss and trauma. It's the support groups - be it family, friends or counsellors - that help you take each day at a time.
Cancer affects so many people in so many ways. I would just like to pay tribute to all the fundraisers, the hospice workers/volunteers, doctors, support workers, counsellors and everyone involved from start to finish. You all have an effect on someone's life in such a way that there are no words to tell you the enormity of your work. So thank you to you all.
- Juspal Samra
