Hornsea's Emilie Tackles Ten Challenges After Cancer-Free Decade

Sunday, 26 May 2024 06:00

By Andrew Snaith

Yorkshire coast woman Emilie Heald is set to take on ten gruelling sports challenges and fundraising events throughout 2024 in honour of being ten years cancer-free and hopes to raise £10K for charity.

Diagnosed at 17 years of age, Emilie was told she had a rare form of bone cancer, Ewing's Sarcoma. Over the course of 18 months, Emilie underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell harvest, and over ten operations.

As a final-year university student studying Psychology, Emilie also works as an executive assistant in her family's East Yorkshire-based manufacturing business.

During Emilie's treatment, surgeons had to remove part of her sacrum, leaving her with pain and scoliosis. Despite this, Emilie is determined to tackle the upcoming sports challenges with resilience and determination.

Emilie’s fundraising will benefit charities, including The Little Princess Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust, Make-A-Wish, Bone Cancer Research Trust, Young Lives vs Cancer, Cancer Research UK, Ward 94 (St James Hospital, Leeds), and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham.

Emilie said:

“I appreciate everyone so much for choosing to support me and continuing to support me. My goal for these challenges is to raise as much awareness, money and support for the charities that help young people battling cancer as possible. It’s a very scary, lonely, and isolating place, and these charities were pivotal in making me feel happy and loved throughout my treatment and recovery.

“Some of my closest friends and relatives have already committed to join me in these challenges, while others are organising their own events to support these incredible charities alongside me. After being in this life-changing position myself, I just want to help as many children and young people as possible on their cancer journey.”

Ten years cancer-free in December 2024, the ten activities will raise vital funds and support the charities that helped make Emilie’s cancer journey more bearable. The ten challenges and events include:

1. Great Manchester Run (10K)

2. Yorkshire 3 Peaks

3. Belvoir Castle Triathlon

4. Coast 2 Coast Cycle

5. Great North Run (Half Marathon)

6. Ongoing Cancer Research charity shop drive

7. Ongoing blood/Platelet drive

8. Charity Netball Tournament Manchester

9. Charity Swim (57 Miles)

10. Charity Ball (including charity auction)

To learn more about Emilie’s story and to donate, please visit: https://www.heald.uk.com/news/emilie-heald-to-conquer-10-challenges-in-honour-of-10-years-cancer-free/