A Parksville woman is gearing up to embark on a cycling trip across Vancouver Island to raise awareness for neuroendocrine cancer (NETs).
Sharon Hamlyn begins her cycle trip from Victoria to Port Hardy on April 29 in support of her sister who was diagnosed with NETs several years ago. Neuroendocrine cancer arises from a group of complex tumours that arise from the neuroendocrine cells, the hormone producing cells of the body. The most common types occur in the lungs, bronchi, thyroid, adrenals, small intestine, pancreas, appendix and rectum.
“My sister is now fighting her third cancer,” Hamlyn said. “She has survived both gall bladder cancer in 2009 and breast cancer in 2010. She has had so many surgeries and hospital visits that we have lost track.”
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Hamelyn said her ride is more to raise awareness for NET cancer rather than a fundraiser but she added that if people want to make a donation they can do so directly to CNETs Canada at cnetscanada.org.
“My sister is my hero and I’m doing this ride, taking her strength and courage with me,” Hamlyn said. “It’s going to be a long and tough ride for me, but in reality this is easy because nothing will ever measure up to the struggle and hardship other NET cancer patients and my sister face everyday.”
Hamlyn, who has been a recreational cyclist for approximately 10 years, plans to ride 50 kilometres per day.
