“I feel like my sister’s fight is living on in me”

As we approach World Ovarian Cancer Day, Gill Campbell explains why supporting Ovarian Cancer Action in memory of her twin sister Wendy is so important to her.

“When I first became involved with Ovarian Cancer Action little did I know what was ahead of me. Through something sad I have found something good. 

I met Shelley Sellings when she was selling pin badges and holding a raffle for OCA in a local supermarket, just a couple of weeks after my sister died.

We began talking and discovered we had so much in common, including the loss of her sister to ovarian cancer. She knew exactly what I was going through. Together we began fundraising and it’s been like finding a second family. Shelley’s always there when I'm feeling low.

Last month we organised a 'Walk in her Name' together in memory or our sisters Wendy and Sonia. We were amazed at just how many people turned up on the day. Money is still coming in but at the last count we had raised £2,800.

We did a 13 mile route around a local beauty spot. It was so much fun both organising and walking and a wonderful opportunity to get so many people together. We all had a laugh but at the same time we were able to remember Wendy and Sonia with happiness as everyone recounted tales involving our sisters. 

My Mum and sister were unable to walk so they manned a stall for us selling t-shirts and handing out leaflets to passers-by. One lady approached them to say her mother had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. As a family they knew nothing about the disease so were pleased to be able to pick up some leaflets. They were also encouraged to get in touch with OCA.

Our aim is for everyone to have a good time whilst at the same time raising money and awareness of this terrible disease.

We are planning a masked ball for later in the year and have joined forces with a local charity to hold a second ‘Frisbee Championship’ event. That was such fun last year and we raised around £3,000, which was shared between the two charities.

World Ovarian Cancer Day is Monday 8 May and OCA are encouraging supporters to hold a Teal Takeover. I hope that as many people as possible will get involved in various ways. It's such a simple way to raise awareness at your workplace or in your local community.

Together we need to raise as much money and awareness as possible. Together we can prevent other women from going through what some of you are going through right now, and what many of our loved ones have been through.

Becoming involved with Ovarian Cancer Action has been a big thing for me. My sister Wendy was my identical twin and we did everything together, including working together, so we saw each other every single day.

Being involved with fundraising has helped me enormously. Although I am always thinking of Wendy and miss her immensely, it really helps to know that in a small way I am helping to fight the disease that took her life.

She used to say that once she was well enough, we would do all sorts together to raise money and awareness. Sadly, she is not able to but I feel her fight is living on in me.”