Dear everyone!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.  By way of background for those unaware of my story, a year ago I thought I was a healthy, fit, 37 year old woman living life in the fast lane; recently engaged to Tony, working overseas and lucky to have such great family and friends.  But on 11 January 2012 I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and suddenly my entire life came to a halt.  I knew I was tired, but I had no idea I was so ill when I found a painful lump in my left breast on 30 December 2011.  Straight away I started the first of 6 cycles of chemotherapy; this was followed by an operation to remove the tumour and lymph nodes in my axilla and finally treatment finished at the end of August after a course of radiotherapy.  The simple truth is that without this medicine, I would not still be here.  Without the love and support of my fiancé, family and friends, I would have found coping with all this even harder.  It is not just the person with cancer who suffers, it is all those they love and know too.

Clearly 2012 has not been the year I had hoped it would be, as the plan had been to finish my tour overseas, return to the UK from Germany and marry Tony.  But, as much as 2012 has been a year of fear, upset, angst and pain, it has also been one of challenge, fight, enlightenment and illumination in ways I would never have imagined possible.  Having reached the depths of despair and hit highs of equal measure, I know that each day that I have is special and value the importance of life, family, friends and all things; I am truly thankful to be here.

So, why set up this page?  Whilst currently being in a fortunate position where I am able to take some time from work to recover, and with October being breast cancer awareness month, I have decided to undertake an overseas challenge to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.  For those of you who know me well, my wanderlust burns as bright as ever, and I am aiming to complete a 400km bicycle ride through northern China in April 2013.  In doing so, I will to raise a significant amount of money for my chosen charity, have the motivation to get fit again and journey to one of the corners of the world I always hoped to have the chance to go to.

I admit I knew little about breast cancer prior to my own diagnosis, but sadly the disease will develop in 1 in 9 women at some point in their lifetime, and accounts for 1 in 3 cancers in women.  Nearly 48,000 women are diagnosed each year and around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every month.  Although quite rare, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer too.  Breakthrough Breast Cancer is dedicated to improving and saving lives through finding the causes of breast cancer, enabling early detection, ensuring precise diagnosis, discovering new and better treatments and improving medical services.  As a direct result of their work, fewer women die of breast cancer compared to 10 years ago.  Breakthrough funds nearly a quarter of all breast cancer research in the UK, and works with campaigners to influence Government and health decision makers at the highest levels.  None of Breakthrough’s work would be possible without our support.

In raising funds - apart from cycling 400km! - I am embarking on a series of activities, which include; training to complete the Bath Half Marathon in March 2013, ‘Come Dine With Me’ (thank you parents for donating your kitchen and house!), drawing, selling and donating some personal items and baking cakes - a new found skill discovered during chemotherapy.

Thank you again for reading my page, and I offer you a massive thank you too if you have decided to donate.  Please don’t wait to donate – the sooner donations are made the sooner the funds can be put to good use by Breakthrough Breast Cancer.  

I hope I can make a difference through achieving this challenge, and thank you so much for your support.

Jane