It’s a scenario every parent fears – having a child diagnosed with cancer.
But that’s exactly the situation Gillian Dixon of NMUK found herself in when one of her twin sons, Matthew, was diagnosed with leukaemia shortly before his fourth birthday.
Three years of intensive chemotherapy, fear and heartache followed before Matthew finally went into remission. Now 13, he’s a happy, healthy teenager and the illness that affected him in his early years is now, thankfully, a distant memory for him and his family.
But Gillian’s colleagues at NMUK, where she works as a controller in the International Logistics Network, have not forgotten. They remember very well the emotional rollercoaster Gillian endured and, even more, the courage and positivity she demonstrated throughout.
Rather than letting Matthew’s illness beat her, she dedicated herself to charity, raising thousands of pounds for the charities that supported her and her family, including Leukaemia Research, the Rainbow Trust, CLIC Sargent and Cancer Research.
In the process she’s completed two Coast to Coast challenges – cycling from the West to the East of the country – and will this year take part in the Great North Run.
Throughout all of this, Gillian, who has worked for NMUK for 25 years, has also acted as a mentor to dozens of graduates and placement students who have joined the NMUK family.
And it’s because of all this colleagues nominated Gillian to carry the Olympic Torch ahead of this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil.
Gillian said: “It was a real surprise to be nominated.
“Matthew’s leukaemia is a bit of a distant memory now and even though we do still raise money for charity it’s not really something we like to remember. So to know that my close friends and colleagues were so touched by it that they still remember it is really very touching.”
She added: “I’m really excited about the trip and so are my boys. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m very proud to be taking part in something so special.”
Gillian will carry the Olympic flame for approximately 200 metres through the city of Belo Horizonte – the City of Beautiful Horizons – as part of its 95-day, 36,000km journey that will be seen by an estimated 90 per cent of Brazil’s population.
Her stint as a torchbearer will be the highlight of an incredible five-day trip that will take in the sights of Rio and Belo Horizonte. She will be accompanied on the trip by her mother Cherie.
