by Wendy Johnson
SOME of the region’s strongest men and women will be putting their strength to the test this weekend at a Warrington gym to raise funds for brave teenager Katelyn Forshaw, who is fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Titan Gym, on Capesthorne Avenue in Orford, is staging a “PB Saturday” on June 28th in a bid to smash a £900 GoFundMe target. The fundraiser aims to enhance the quality of life for Katelyn, the daughter of gym member Rebecca, as she undergoes gruelling medical treatment for Ewing’s sarcoma. Organisers also hope to raise enough to provide a special celebration for Katelyn’s milestone 16th birthday on July 11th.
Katelyn’s mum Rebecca, a regular at the gym, explained: “Hearing that your child has cancer is one of the most devastating things a parent can experience. We originally took Katelyn to see her GP on March 14th this year due to breathing difficulties. They suspected pneumonia, but after antibiotics showed no improvement, she was sent for an emergency X-ray – which led to a shocking discovery.”
Katelyn was transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she underwent a series of complex investigations, including the insertion of a chest drain to release fluid from her lungs.
Rebecca continued: “An MRI and biopsy followed, and on March 26th we received the devastating news that Katelyn had Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare and aggressive bone cancer. It had affected two areas of her ribs. The tumour had collapsed her right lung and was dangerously close to her spinal cord, even spreading into a vertebra. We were told that if it had gone untreated, it could have caused paralysis. On April 3rd, she had surgery to insert a Hickman line in her chest, and she began chemotherapy the same day. We spent thirty consecutive days at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. During that time, she had multiple X-rays, ultrasound scans, CT scans, MRI scans, three surgeries, and began intensive chemotherapy.”
The fundraising event was set up by fellow gym-goer Raisa Podojahina, who launched the GoFundMe page as soon as she heard about Katelyn’s diagnosis. “As a gym community, we want to rally around Rebecca and Katelyn,” she said. “Donations will help ease the financial burden of treatment, travel, and care – and could even help make her dream holiday a reality once she recovers.”
For now, treatment continues. Rebecca describes her daughter as a ‘beautiful, cheeky, funny, and loveable young girl’. She added: “Katelyn returns to the oncology ward every two weeks for chemotherapy, she’s having regular scans to monitor progress, and consultants expect she’ll need surgery in August to remove the affected bone and the remainder of the tumour. Chemotherapy will continue alongside radiotherapy before and after surgery.”
“Katelyn completed her sixth round of chemotherapy last week. She’s struggled mentally and physically with the sudden changes to her life and the milestones she’s missed. As a teenager, it’s heartbreaking. From losing her hair and missing her final days of school to sudden hospital visits for antibiotics or blood transfusions – it’s been so much to bear. I remind her every day how strong and amazing she is. She’s even determined to attend her school prom next week.”
Rebecca added that her gym community has been a lifeline: “I don’t know what I would have done without the support and friendships I’ve made at Titan. I’ve been training there for over a year, and it’s been a huge help mentally – even just the social aspect. I’m so grateful.”
Gym owner and Strongman coach Darryl Toone, from Woolston, said: “Every show of strength and every penny raised will go toward improving Katelyn’s quality of life. We’re also hoping to help send her on that dream holiday she’s been wishing for.”
The fun-day event kicks off at 10 am and features a guest appearance by the current World’s Strongest Woman. Events include PB Deadlift, Farmer’s Carry, and a special “Big Boys’ 7-Tonne Truck Pull, followed by a BBQ and raffles.
Donations can be made at: https://gofund.me/b75816ca
