TWO nurses from Whiston Hospital and The Lilac Centre took on the world's fastest – and Europe's longest – zip line in aid of awareness for one cancer charity.
Nurses Ruth Jackson from Thatto Heath and Debbie Johnson Sutton Manor headed to Penrhyn Quarry on Velocity 2 last Saturday, May 18 alongside their sons to take on speeds of more than 100mph for Lymphoma Action.
They were also joined by nurse manager at the Lilac Centre, Dave Keegan.
Ruth said: “I’d like to thank Lymphoma Action for asking me to take part. Never in a million years would I have taken on the task as I'm terrified of heights.
"However, I managed to overcome that fear with an amazing group of people. Some I'd never met before, including a gentleman who was up for the challenge at 81 years young.
"I also had the pleasure of doing the challenge with my amazing colleagues Debbie and Dave.
"I was surprised to even see one of my patients there; it was very humbling and reminded me why I was setting out to support Lymphoma Action.”
As well as her Clinical Nurse Specialist role at Whiston Hospital, Ruth works alongside Debbie at the Lilac Centre in St Helens, where Lymphoma Action holds a regular Support Group.
Karen Bonell, North West regional development manager for Lymphoma Action, added: “Lymphoma Action Support Groups welcome anyone affected by lymphoma and any other blood cancer. We have invited speakers, information and discussions. They are warm and friendly and a great place to meet others with similar experiences.”
Many of the ‘zippers’ have seen first-hand the positive impact a Support Group can have on someone living with lymphoma.
The nursing colleagues were joined on the zip line by Lymphoma Action Support Group attendees and family members of people with lymphoma.
They all have one thing in common: they want to ensure that everyone affected by the condition has the best possible information, support, treatment and care.
With a new case being diagnosed every 27 seconds in the UK, lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer.
It can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms – a lump in the neck, armpit or groin; feeling exhausted for no reason; unexplained weight loss; night sweats; itching without a rash – can often be confused with other health issues.
Lymphoma Action is the only UK charity dedicated to the condition and relies on the generosity of people like these brave zippers to keep supporting people living with lymphoma.
To find out more about lymphoma, visit
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