Three women have banded together as the ‘Walkie Talkies’ to tackle a gruelling 25km Jurassic Coast challenge in support of their friend Claire Lupton, a 42-year-old Hampshire resident living with a rare cancer.
Suzanne Rogers, from Southampton; Stephanie Murray, from Totton, and Vanessa Riordan, from Hedge End – who have called themselves the ‘Walkie Talkies’ – are taking part in the 25km Jurassic Coast walk in Dorset on 17 May.
They have been inspired to take part by friend Claire Lupton, 42, from Romsey, who has mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. It was in 2017 when a lump developed in her right forearm. Medics at first thought it was benign and was a cyst or fatty tissue. It was removed but it was only later that it was diagnosed as cancer. Further surgery was required.
In late 2020, Claire started having severe side pain – this turned out to be a 2.2 kilo tumour in her abdomen. Claire had an operation to remove the second tumour. Surgeons also removed one of Claire’s kidneys to reduce the chance of cancer returning but, just a year later, three new tumours were found.
Claire is now living with her illness but is determined to use her experiences to help other patients. She especially seeks to empower patients and advocate for better treatments.
She herself had problems with faulty PICC lines (tubes that are connected to the veins in a patient’s arm for intravenous therapies) and has linked up with a company that produces the lines to make improvements.
She also advocates to health professionals for the need for better patient care and has an interest in the impact of cancer on patients’ mental health. Last year she spoke at a conference held by Wessex Academy for Skills in Personalised Care.
Claire also has an interest in research into sarcoma and is a member of charity Sarcoma UK’s grant review panel that awards funds to research projects. Claire took part in a project to research the genetics of her cancer.
Suzanne, Stephanie and Vanessa met Claire through work and are taking part in the walk for Sarcoma UK.
Suzanne said: ‘Every day we see Claire working with Sarcoma UK and various medical studies to improve patient experiences and drive research into finding a cure for sarcoma. She’s such an inspiration to us. We know that she will be there at the end of the walk with a banner and a bottle of prosecco.’
Claire said: ‘I am so proud of my friends doing this challenge for a charity that directly supports those affected by sarcoma. I have lived with sarcoma for over eight years. Sarcoma UK is very personal charity for me. I love my friends and will always appreciate them for raising funds for the amazing work Sarcoma UK does.’
‘Claire Lupton exemplifies the extraordinary resilience we see in so many people living with sarcoma,’ said Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Research. ‘Her dedication to improving patient care and advancing research, while navigating her own complex health journey, is truly remarkable. We’re incredibly grateful to the ‘Walkie Talkies’ for taking on this challenging coastal trek. Their friendship and fundraising efforts not only support vital research and patient services but also shine a much-needed spotlight on sarcoma, a cancer that remains largely unknown to the general public despite affecting thousands of lives each year.’
To donate to the Walkie Talkies, go to https://www.justgiving.com/team/walkie-talkies53?fbclid=IwY2xjawKIEohleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiyNiW3ABr2wB9W9X7M4eqPdZmLO3DVhG91AYLU-e1A7iiop7M8sOW8udbMG_aem_eR5NyItG3ij39VGHqzmzEA
