Here it is, my just giving page for 2016. If you know me at all you'll know how important running a marathon is (a year and a week after finishing treatment) and how meaningful it is for me to be able to represent and raise money for Breast Cancer Care. I never thought these charities did as much as they do, I was naive! So please, please, dig as deep as you can as I have to raise £1750. Skip to the bottom and click donate- I would appreciate it so much. Thanks in advance.

If you don't know me and you're thinking about sponsoring me, firstly, thank you for getting this far and considering it. My story is probably similar to someone else you know, and isn't it just awful that we are all so affected by cancer.

My mum had breast cancer twice and then my nan was diagnosed, so I was always vigilant and aware of the disease. However, I didn't expect at the age of 30 to find my own alien friend (my very own tumour). I had my alien removed successfully, luckily leaving me with, what I call my 1 and a half boobs. I went through IVF, eventually, to preserve 3 Olafs (embryos), followed by the lovely cocktail that is chemotherapy (with side effects I never imagined or heard of- I mean, losing your nose hair so you drip snot daily is just not cool) and finally radiotherapy (where I had my three new tattoos, burnt and blistered, and will have the scars to prove it for many years). No follow up drugs for me, as I had triple negative breast cancer, so, in blunt terms they don't know what caused it so they can't prevent it coming back. BCC helped me learn more about my triple negative diagnosis too. I'm currently waiting to find out if I carry the BRCA 1 or 2 gene (something I didn't even know about before a BCC conference) this will tell me if I need a double mastectomy and/ or hysterectomy. 

Update: I do not carry a default in the BRCA genes, which is great news. I'm left wondering what the heck caused BC in three generations though. Hopefully, as technology develops, answers will be found and solutions provided - until then we need to fundraise to support those who do have decisions to make following a positive result. 

Those are the physical aspects that people go through. The emotional side effects are a completely different story, and unique to each individual person. However, through the BCC chat rooms and a Facebook group, I discovered whilst attending a Younger Women Together BCC weekend (Hello YBCN ladies), I have found that I wasn't being ridiculous thinking certain things, or cleaning the house top to bottom before my chemo cocktail party or knowing a symptom is awful yet normal. A place where people who have been through it can share real advice. It's also a place where I can feel useful at times too, sharing my experiences and any advice I have. We also help each other with life after cancer and developing our new normal.

So, like I said, probably similar to a story you've already heard. If you are able to donate I would greatly appreciate it, as would the other unfortunate people who had to receive help and support from Breast Cancer Care. Many thanks in advance. Donate what you can, give some now and some later, share fundraising ideas, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Peace, love and positivity to all.

Kerry 'just keep moving' Matthews

Here's the sensible bit.... Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.