Winchester man aiming for record number of wins in international sailing race
Ed Donald taking part in the round the island race
Release Date: 26 June 2008
A Winchester man who beat blood cancer is hoping to go one step away from a competition record with an incredible third victory at the 77th annual ‘Round the Island Race’ on 28 June. Not only is he aiming for first place again at this 55-mile international sailing event round the Isle of Wight, he is also looking to raise a fantastic £50,000 for leading blood cancer charity Leukaemia Research in the process.
Ed Donald will be fulfilling a promise he first made to himself seven years ago in less happy times, when he was battling with the blood cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He explains: “At my lowest point I promised to win the most ever ‘Round the Island Races’ and to live to see my daughter grow up.”
”Thanks to Leukaemia Research, I received gold standard care. After six months of chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy I was cured. Today I live life to the full and am able to pursue my hopes and ambitions whilst being a dad to my two girls.
Ed is conscious of just how lucky he is to be alive and also to have had a second daughter after the chemotherapy he was given to kill the lymphoma. He says: ”My youngest daughter Isobella is a one in five million chance, conceived after my cancer treatment. Today I have the chance to take part in ‘Round the Island Races’ with my daughters into my 80s, thanks to the treatment I received. We are just two wins away from equalling the record for most victories in the competition’s history!"
Ed is determined that all children will survive blood cancers like he did:“Blood cancers are the most common cancers in children. Every penny we raise together will bring new research breakthroughs and new treatments, giving hope to those unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with this type of cancer. If we win ‘Round the Island’ this year I will ask the title sponsors at the prize giving to double whatever we have raised!"
If you would like to support Ed in his fundraising effort, you can visit his justgiving page.
