Many of you will know Val Bugden-Cawsey, a member of St Stephen’s by Launceston WI. What you may not know is that Val has been diagnosed with an advanced and rare type of malignant melanoma. She has decided to focus her efforts on fundraising for a research project at Derriford Hospital — the Malignant Melanoma Research Fund.
Val says, “Raising funds for this specific and aggressive type of cancer has given me a huge positive focus at such a difficult time. Whilst it is absolutely certain that, for me, there is no going back from this, I want to do everything in my power to raise funds in the hope that in the future, others will be in a better position to face this cancer and win.”
Some of you may have seen Val on BBC Spotlight a few weeks ago, where she discussed her illness and told viewers that malignant melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and that cases rose by nearly 50% in the South West between 2007 and 2015.
If you would like to help Val in her fundraising efforts, you can make a contribution through her JustGiving page.