Mum’s plea: Please take Tinsel Tiptoe challenge

A Co Down mum, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just before lockdown, is urging families across the province to support Cancer Focus NI’s Tinsel Tiptoe 5k challenge to raise money for its vital counselling service.
By Helen McGurk
Published 19th Nov 2020, 13:24 BST
Updated 19th Nov 2020, 16:07 BST
Donna Parsons, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the start of lockdownDonna Parsons, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the start of lockdown
Donna Parsons, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the start of lockdown

Donna Parkinson, from Donaghadee, said the counselling service has been “invaluable” to her.

“Having cancer during Covid brought a whole extra layer of stresses including having my surgery delayed,” she said.

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“My diagnosis was on my mind all day every day. You just think ‘am I going to die?’. You try not to let your family know how worried you actually are. You’re trying to deal with the unknown and it certainly isn’t easy.“It was after my major surgery when I was feeling better physically that all these emotions started to come to the fore.”

Jude Govett from Lisburn with his mum Carole, dad Ollie and little sister Winnie get on the glitter for a family Tinsel Tiptoe for Cancer Focus NIJude Govett from Lisburn with his mum Carole, dad Ollie and little sister Winnie get on the glitter for a family Tinsel Tiptoe for Cancer Focus NI
Jude Govett from Lisburn with his mum Carole, dad Ollie and little sister Winnie get on the glitter for a family Tinsel Tiptoe for Cancer Focus NI

Donna added: “My counsellor at Cancer Focus NI was fantastic. When you’re going through all that, you are so focused on healing physically that the psychological stress is still slightly to the side. It was invaluable to be able to talk through everything.

“We have a very close family but they were worried enough about me. I didn’t want to put my stress and anxiety on them too, so this was the perfect safety valve. I could release all that tension and worry without causing upset at home. My counsellor helped me such a lot to find a way through it and out the other side.

“I had a check-up recently and everything was fine. I do consider myself exceptionally fortunate. I was so lucky that it wasn’t an aggressive form of cancer so my condition hadn’t changed over the seven weeks I had to wait for my surgery.”

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Cancer Focus NI said everyone who takes part in the Tinsel Tiptoe will receive a medal kindly donated by Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon from its eight mile walk event.

Kathryn Holland, outdoor events manager at Cancer Focus NI, said: “Christmas is all about having fun, giving and sharing and we thought our Tinsel Tiptoe would be the perfect way to get us in the festive mood.

“Our sparkling Christmassy event is an excellent and easy way to give the kids something jolly to do that will not only help others but give them a bit of exercise too.

“Simply grab a pile of tinsel, deck yourselves and your kids, and have a ramble around your local park or favourite beauty spot.

“Be sure to take photos and post on social media.

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“Why not add in your Santa hats, Christmas jumpers, flashing lights and other Xmas trinkets too.”

She added: “You don’t even need to do the 5k in one go, you can spread it out over December so the little ones can take part too.”

*To sign up for the Tinsel Tiptoe visit www.cancerfocus ni.org/tinsel

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