Gemma braves walk to say thanks

FRIENDS, family and well-wishers turned out in force for a Central Park walk to help a cancer patient hit with thousands of pounds of medical bills.

Gemma Kerswell, aged 30, of Saltash, and her husband Dave joined the crowd outside Home Park at the start of the walk yesterday.

Gemma, leaning on a stick and holding Dave's arm, said she was feeling "not brilliant".

She added: "I didn't think I would make it, but I wanted to show my face and my appreciation."

Gemma, who has been given only months to live due to lymphoma, had been determined to enjoy a final family holiday to Disneyland – despite being unable to get health insurance.

Her husband Dave, step children Ben and Nathan, her mum, step dad, and parents in law were all on the two-week trip.

She was admitted to intensive care in Florida last month Saturday after developing pneumonia and fluid on her lungs.

Gemma flew home after discharging herself from hospital, but was faced with a huge £11,000 medical bill.

Jo Ware, a friend who has helped to set up the Gemma Kerswell Fund, said yesterday that they had already paid the hospital bill, but were waiting to receive a bill for the doctor's fees.

Among the walkers yesterday was Plymouth diving champion Tonia Couch, who is Gemma's cousin.

Jo thanked individuals and businesses which have contributed to the fund.

These include insurance brokers T. H. March, which gave£270, the Lemon Tree Bistro, which sold bacon baps yesterday and donated the profits, and Laing & co, which sponsored the fund-raisers' T-shirts.

Plymouth Harriers running club marshals supervised the walk.

Gemma, former assistant director of finance at Callington Community College, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, in May 2008.

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant and taking part in a new drug trial, the cancer became terminal and has spread to her lungs.

Anyone who wants to help can find more information on the Facebook page 'Gemma Kerswell Fund' and website www.teamkerswell.com