Aviemore mother helping seriously ill daughter step by step
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A young woman battling Hodgkin Lymphoma has paid tribute to her mother who is taking vital steps to support her – in all, 266,566 of them.
Gillian Welsh, of Aviemore, is walking the equivalent number of steps it would take to climb the seven continents’ highest mountains.
As her 25-year-old daughter Emma waits for a stem cell transplant, Gillian is determined to raise as much money as possible for the fight against Hodgkin Lymphoma, an uncommon cancer which disrupts the lymphatic system.
“Emma is my hero,” she told the Strathy. “In September last year, Emma was diagnosed with the disease and it condemned her to three different intensive chemotherapy treatments just to get it under control.
“It has been a long road for her and the least I can do is walk my own to show solidarity and raise money for research into the condition.”
The diagnosis came as a huge shock, Gillian said. “It’s fair to say this has turned our lives upside down and we still have a long way to go before we will know if the treatment works.
“My beautiful girl has always been a warrior and I have been in awe of her bravery and determination during some really difficult times.’
Emma said: "I'm really, really proud of mum - just so incredibly proud. Because its an amazing fundraising cause and it really should be highlighted.
"It's also given them something to focus on."
She added that the fundraising campaign had also received famous backing after Spice Girl Emma Bunton retweeted a link to it.
The support is something which delighted Emma, as she said listening to the band had been a big help throughout her treatment.
n To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gillian-welsh2
More on this story in the latest Strathy now on sale.
