A 53-YEAR-old woman being treated for advanced ovarian cancer is urging people to support a campaign to raise money for research to help the doctors keeping her alive. Mother-of-two Geraldine Mahoney is hosting a party to collect funds for the diagnosis and treatment of women

By Else Kvist

A 53-YEAR-old woman being treated for advanced ovarian cancer is urging people to support a campaign to raise money for research to help the doctors keeping her alive.

Mother-of-two Geraldine Mahoney from East London, who is being treated at St Bartholomew's in the City, is hosting a party next month to collect funds for the diagnosis and treatment of women.

Geraldine had an operation to remove two tumours, followed by chemotherapy, after being diagnosed in the advance stages two years ago.

CHEMOTHERAPY

She was later given the 'all clear'-but the cancer returned and she is currently undergoing a second round of chemotherapy.

"I'm combining this fundraising with a party for my birthday," she said.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Professor McNeish and his team at Bart's. They really look after patients and do care."

HELP RESEARCH

Events throughout September can be a light lunch, breakfast or even a tea and cake party at home or in the workplace, where guests make donations. The Food for Thought campaign hopes to raise �30,0000. Anyone wanting to host an event can contact the campaign by email here, or call 020-7618 1720.

Professor McNeish said: "People can help our research by holding these events to support our patients as they face this terrible disease."

Ovarian cancer claims 6,800 lives a year in Britain. One-in-seven women are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.