8:03am Monday 8th February 2010
A MOTHER inspired by the bravery of her twins will be walking to raise money to beat blood cancers.
Gillian Dixon is urging people in the North-East to join her on the Newcastle Forget Me Not Walk for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research – the charity dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Seven-year-old Matthew Dixon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2006, when he was three.
Happily, he completed his treatment last September, with the constant support of his identical twin, Alex.
Mrs Dixon said: “The way Matthew and Alex have both dealt with the huge stress that’s been put on them has put us to shame a bit as adults.
“They’ve just picked themselves up and carried on.
They’re an inspiration.”
Doctors have also been monitoring Alex, who, as Matthew’s twin, may have an increased risk of developing leukaemia.
Mrs Dixon said: “I’m just hoping both boys will be able to join in the walk – Alex is raring to go, but Matthew is still struggling with walking after his treatment, so he might need a little help on the way round.”
The Dixons, who live in the Durham area, will be joined on the walk by a team from the Nissan plant in Sunderland, where Mrs Dixon works.
The five-kilometre walk leaves the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art at 10am on Saturday, March 6. The entry fee is £7.50 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a family of two adults and two children.
The fee includes a T-shirt and medal.
Those wishing to join in are asked to contact Arun Malhotra on 07824-627196 or visit forgetmenotwalks.com
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