Charity | Posted on April 25th, 2025 | return to news
Woman with breast cancer to walk for Salisbury Hospital charity
Marie Gower, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2024, will tackle the Stars Appeal’s 10K ‘Walk for Wards’ challenge.
A woman from Winterslow who is being treated for breast cancer will tackle the Stars Appeal’s 10K ‘Walk for Wards’ challenge to raise funds for Salisbury Hospital.
Marie Gower was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2024. She will be walking with her husband Trevor at the sponsored event on Sunday 6 July at Wilton House, to say thank you for the care she has received on the Pembroke Cancer Unit at Salisbury Hospital.
The 44-year-old said: “At my first chemotherapy treatment I was terrified, and my emotions were very much raised. The whole of the Pembroke Suite staff were amazing and kind, but I still couldn’t stop crying. It was towards the end of my first treatment that I met the wonderful Stars Appeal aromatherapist. The aromatherapy really made me feel pampered and me again at a time when I really was feeling anything but me.
“The Stars Appeal really has made the most amazing difference not just to me, but also my husband as we have gone through my cancer treatment.
“The Stars Appeal provide funding within the Pembroke Suite which has helped me in so many ways from the aromatherapy to the hot drinks and snacks whilst undergoing treatment each week, which are fantastic.”
The Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s charity, provides support to the thousands of patients that visit the hospital each year. The charity funds the latest treatment and diagnostic equipment for patients with cancer as well as extras that make time in hospital more comfortable including aromatherapy, free hot and cold drinks, and snacks during chemotherapy treatment.
It also funds free headwear for cancer patients and dedicated swimming sessions in the hospital’s pool. It supports wellbeing programmes such as prehabilitation, which offers one-to-one support to help patients prepare for surgery and treatment. The charity also funds enhancements to the furnishings and décor of the Pembroke Cancer Unit. It also built and maintains the hospital’s first-ever Breast Unit.
Walk for Wards is a sponsored walk where participants can walk a 3K, 5K, 10K or even 15K route for their chosen ward or department at the hospital.
Gower added: “This is the first time we’ve done Walk for Wards, but it won’t be the last. My husband has been with me every step of this journey and more – the emotional and day-to-day support, helping me come to terms with my diagnosis, each scan, the tears, the hair loss, exhaustion and simply driving me to and from all my appointments. To be able to do the walk together and make a difference and give something back is the icing on the cake.”
Join the Stars Appeal’s 20th Walk for Wards this July by registering for free at www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards/.
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