Kangaroo Self Storage Operations Manager Battles Cancer, Leads Charity Raft Race
June 30, 2022
Helen Prior, an operations manager for Kangaroo Self-Storage in Wirral, England, is not only battling a rare form of cancer, she’s participating in the July 3 Chester Raft Race to raise awareness and funds for the local chapter of Maggie’s, a charity that provides cancer support across the United Kingdom. She’ll serve as the team leader, according to the source.
Prior, 33, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in February after she suffered from severe abdominal pain. Although a mass was surgically removed from her stomach, the disease had already spread to other parts of her body and has been deemed too advanced for treatment. Doctors estimate she has one to six years to live. Prior is married with a two-year-old son.
She chose Maggie’s for her fundraising efforts after receiving support from the organization since her diagnosis. “I first attended my local Maggie’s in Wirral after my initial diagnosis and originally began attending just for the relaxation classes,” Prior said. “I found that after my first hospital stays, I suffered from panic attacks because COVID meant most of my appointments had to be conducted alone.”
Prior joined Kangaroo in 2010 as a part-time assistant while attending college, said company CEO and founder Chris Stevens. “However, she caught the ‘self-storage’ bug and never left, and what was always meant to be a part-time job became a full-time career. Helen has worked in all the Northwest stores over the years and knows the stores better than anyone.”
“The news of her terminal cancer diagnosis has left everyone heartbroken,” Stevens continued. “When Helen told us she wanted to fundraise for Maggie’s, we were not surprised, and we want her to know we are right behind her. We have adopted Maggie’s centers as our corporate charity, and we will be holding several fundraisers. We’re all looking forward to the raft race at the weekend.”
The annual charity event occurs every July on the River Dee in Chester, England. Organized by the Chester Round Table club, the rafts race over a quarter-mile course. This year’s theme is 100 years of British Television. Prior has chosen “Father Ted,” a 1990’s comedic sitcom, as her team’s theme.
In May, Prior participated in a climb up Snowdon Mountain in Wales with her husband and his team from the Dant-Y-Coed Dental Practice. They raised more than £3,000, the source reported.
Founded in 2004, Kangaroo operates nine facilities in North West England and Scotland. The portfolio includes 442,000 rentable square feet.
Source: Wirral Mum Helen Prior to Lead Raft Race Team for Maggie's Centre
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