Mandie Raises Money for Her Chosen Charity

Watching her father battle against cancer made mother-of-four Mandie Barnett determined to fight the disease too, by raising money to fund research.

Her dad, Ian Dixon, has been diagnosed with cancer twice in the last five years.

Mandie, 34, said: “The first time he was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder.

“When I found out that he had cancer I was absolutely devastated. It was really horrible news and I was terrified that he would die.”

Ian, 65, was treated successfully with chemotherapy and was on the road to recovery when doctors spotted a problem with one of his kidneys and diagnosed cancer again.

Mandie, of Penshaw View, Gateshead, said: “When we found out that dad had cancer again, we just couldn’t believe it.

“It seemed so unfair.”

However, Ian’s cancer was confined to one of his kidneys and doctors were able to treat it by removing the damaged organ.

Since then, he has gone from strength to strength ( and has now joined forces with his daughter to host an event as part of Cancer Research UK’s Britain’s Biggest All-Day Breakfast event, which raised money to help other people with the disease. Mandie, who works for Weight Watchers, served up a healthy breakfast to her class members and the public at Washington Leisure Centre, at The Galleries, from 10am to 1pm.

Her father, of the Hawthorn estate, Washington, went along to help and to show that funding research really can make a difference to people’s lives.

Mandie said: “I was delighted that Dad came along to help at the breakfast party.

“We’re keen to support Cancer Research UK because once someone you love has survived the disease, you want to help advance research for other people who are suffering from it.”

As well as serving up a healthy selection of tasty dishes, Mandie ran competitions to help raise money for the charity.

She said: “Taking part in Britain’s Biggest All-Day Breakfast was a fun and easy way to support Cancer Research UK and make a real difference to many people’s lives.”

Britain’s Biggest All Day Breakfast, which was backed by chef and Ready, Steady, Cook TV presenter Ainsley Harriott, is now in its seventh year and organisers hope this year’s event will have raised more than pounds 400,000.

Early treatment can save a life

NBLADDER cancer affects twice as many men as women in the UK.

NIt is the fourth most common cancer in men and the tenth most common in women.

NEach year, there are more than 10,700 new cases. It is most common in people over 50.

NBladder cancer affects the inner lining of the bladder and develops slowly.

NAs it grows, it may spread to other organs near the bladder.

NThere is currently no screening test available for bladder cancer, however Cancer Research UK is supporting research to develop a urine test.

NThe risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age. Two- thirds of all cases occur in people over 70.