A WOMAN whose husband is undergoing treatment for a little talked about and rare cancer has set herself a daily challenge of a dip a day for the rest of the year to raise awareness of the disease.
Ruth Hitchcock is doing the “Daily Dip for Dave” on Falmouth's beaches and beyond to raise money and awareness for Endocrine cancer.
Ruth started doing the dips for her husband David Hitchcock, the MD of CMS-GeoScience Ltd where she works as a Senior Executive Officer, in October last year.
A seasoned sea swimmer, Ruth has challenged herself to 365 dips in the sea up until the October 9 this year in an effort to raise £5,000 in essential funds for Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.
This charity relies solely on public funding, so this total will go a long way to supporting research and developing programmes for patients and their loved ones.
“I have been swimming in the sea for a couple of years but decided to challenge myself to get in every day and drag Dave in at least once a month,” said Ruth.
“Some days in the winter it may be a quick jump but I will try my best to get in. If it is impossible due to storms, illness or work commitments that take me to landlocked places, then I will do a double or triple dip on other days to make up for it.”
Dave was first diagnosed with cancer in his bowel in 2008, It was successfully removed and life went on.
Earlier this year, Dave's health took a turn for the worse and after a series of investigations he was diagnosed with multiple secondary Neuroendocrine tumours - an incurable form of cancer that has spread to his liver, lymph nodes, bowel, stomach and bones.
At only 56-years-old, this is a devastating diagnosis for both of them.
Dave has been undergoing monthly hormone injections since June 2023 to try and control the growth and activity of the tumours.
This would appear to be unsuccessful in stopping the tumours growth so the couple are now waiting for more scans and a liver biopsy before a decision is made on alternative treatment options.
“It’s a very emotionally draining process and one we are all struggling with,” says Ruth. “In the meantime we live day to day with the impact of this disease, both mentally and physically. It has drastically altered our lives and brought so many challenges we did not expect.
“However we are trying to find happiness every day and make the most of the time we have now whilst we are still able.”
She says she is hoping that friends and family will join her sometimes and that people around the country might have a distant dip with me and send me their pictures.
“We will incorporate silly hats, celebrate special days and try to have some fun along the way,” she said.
“Please join us in our fight against Neuroendocrine Cancer by donating to our cause. Together we can make a difference.”
You can follow Ruth’s daily dips on Instagram and Facebook at @DailyDip4Dave You can donate to her GoFundMe page at www.justgiving.com/page/dailydip4dave
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here