SHE MAY well be terrified of heights but when Laura Davies comes zooming down Europe’s highest, longest and fastest zip wire she is determined to have a smile on her face.
For 46-year-old Laura will be celebrating her ‘all-clear’ after a year-long battle with bowel cancer.
And following her down the wire will be many of the people who helped her fight the illness – including the man who conducted her chemotherapy treatment Dr Shobhit Baijal – as they raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK.
Laura, who lives in Solihull with husband Graham, went to her GP in January last year after discovering a lump in her side.
A scan showed it to be bowel cancer and within days she was being operated on by Consultant Surgeon Mr Charles Hendrickse at Spire Parkway Hospital.
He removed the tumour and 23 lymph nodes before Laura embarked on a 30-week course of chemotherapy at Parkway’s Specialist Care Centre.
“Mr Hendrickse was fantastic and the operation was a success but, in reality, it was only the beginning of my cancer battle – next up was the chemo,” said Laura.
Her treatment was taken over by bowel and lung cancer specialist, Consultant Oncologist Dr Shobhit Baijal.
He explained: “Following Laura’s successful surgery she needed a six-month course of chemotherapy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
“Initially Laura had a difficult time with the chemo so we had to make modifications to her treatment. It was indeed an intensive course but she battled on bravely and completed 30 sessions in as many weeks – and that is no mean feat!”
As for the zip wire challenge Dr Baijal added: “The very thought of it is filling me with complete and absolute dread but once Laura said she was up for it I knew there would be no way out for me so I’m ready to take the plunge.”
Laura said: “I really became part of the family at the centre and struck up a great relationship with Dr Baijal and all the girls working there, so when I decided to do my bit to raise money for a bowel cancer charity I asked them all if they would join me and was delighted with their response.
“Dr Baijal knew about my aversion to heights so he simply replied ‘I’ll do it if you do’ – I think he was a bit shocked when I said I was doing it.”
Laura and more than 20 friends will make to trip to Snowdonia on March 25.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zipwiremadnessforbowelcancer
