Sunny Sandwich, the three-legged Bulgarian rescue, has embarked on a mammoth 100km walk around Bedford in aid of patients with incurable blood cancer.
Sunny (for short) and owners Kat McGregor and Henry McGinty, from the Queens Park area, are tackling the 100km Lost in Lapland challenge in aid of Myeloma UK, a blood cancer charity dedicated to funding vital research into treatment and, ultimately, a cure.
The trio set off on their virtual race through Lapland on December 1 and are aiming to reach the finish line on Christmas Eve. They’ve completed 24km and raised £212 for Myeloma UK so far.
“HE’S SUCH A SWEET DOG. WHEN HE SMILES, IT MAKES MY HEART BURST”
Sunny was rescued by Kat and Henry two months ago from a Bulgarian shelter. The pup had lost one of his legs after being hit by a car when he was around five months old. Sunny, Kat and Henry were told, was found injured and starving by a nine-year-old and her mother. The little girl named him Sunny Sandwich (in Bulgarian) because “his face was golden like the sun and she fed him sandwiches all the way to the shelter”.
Kat and Henry were immediately smitten with Sunny, his truly ‘sunny’ disposition – despite a very tough start – and unusual moniker.
“All my pets growing up have been named after food so when we saw him it felt like it was meant to be,” said Kat, 29. “He’s such a sweet dog. When he smiles, it makes my heart burst.”
“Sunny is the one in charge of Lost in Lapland. We’re trying to do 4km a day until the 24th of December, sometimes we do more at the weekend. We’re going by Sunny’s energy level. I keep laughing with Henry that Sunny is Beyoncé and we’re just his producers in the background, making sure he gets the credit for all the walking.”
Not only will the challenge help raise funds towards vital research but it will be a fun way to squeeze in much-needed physiotherapy and strengthen Sunny’s legs.
“It’s all been signed off by his vet, and we’ve already seen such a phenomenal improvement to his health and fitness. When we first got him, he would walk 15 minutes twice a day, now he’s so excited to go for a walk and he does zoomies.”
“MYELOMA UK IS MARKING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND, WITH THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS, I WANTED TO DO EVEN MORE TO HELP THE CHARITY SUPPORT PATIENTS”
Myeloma UK is close to Kat’s heart as she works as the charity’s scientific knowledge and communications officer, a role which sees her provide patients with crucial information about treatments, clinical trials and new research. More recently, she’s been patients’ first port of call for all things COVID-19 related, including vaccinations and boosters and how to stay safe during the pandemic.
“I’ve spent my career working for charities but this is the first time I’ve felt inspired to do something more personal,” explained Kat. “It seemed like the right time too, for many reasons. Myeloma UK is marking its 25th anniversary this year and, with the cost-of-living crisis, I wanted to do even more to help the charity support patients.
“Since starting at Myeloma UK, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible work they do and the amazing community of supporters I’m proud to be part of. From bringing patients and loved ones together to talk about their experiences to investing in pioneering research to transform the treatment of myeloma, their work is vital.”
Myeloma occurs in the bone marrow and currently affects over 24,000 people in the UK. It is a relapsing-remitting cancer, meaning that although many patients will experience periods of remission following treatment, the disease will inevitably return.
Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, it is especially difficult to detect as symptoms, including back pain, easily broken bones, fatigue and recurring infection, are often linked to general ageing or minor conditions.
While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. Treatment is aimed at controlling the disease, relieving the complications and symptoms it causes, and extending and improving patients’ quality of life. More than half of patients face a wait of over five months to receive the right diagnosis and around a third are diagnosed through an emergency route. By that point, many of them are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms.
“WE DIDN’T THINK WE WOULD GET £100, AND WE’VE BEEN SO SURPRISED AND AMAZED BY PEOPLE’S GENEROSITY”
“I personally see myeloma not only as an incurable cancer but as a chronic illness,” she added. “It will keep coming back, which means people have to relive it over and over, tell their families and work each time – that feels brutally unfair. I feel really passionate about supporting patients and raising awareness of myeloma. We’re heading in the right direction for patients, but there is a lot left to do to help improve their quality of life.”
Kat and Henry have been stunned by the amount of support Sunny has received over the past week. He’s already smashed his £100 target and Kat and Henry are now hoping his mighty efforts will help raise £300 for Myeloma UK. Regardless though, the couple have a special Christmas treat planned for Sunny at the finish line.
“His absolute favourite is ostrich bones, so we’ll definitely get him one,” said Kat. “We didn’t think we would get £100, and we’ve been so surprised and amazed by people’s generosity. It’s been really heart-warming.”
