The first time I ever encountered breast cancer was when I was very little when my lovely great auntie Barbara fell poorly and passed away. Whilst I don’t remember much, I remember the feeling in the air that this was serious, and that it was scary. I hadn’t really experienced much loss at the time, and I found it hard to understand that my lovely auntie who would always leave me a present on the end of her bed when I would visit wouldn’t be there anymore. It didn’t really make any sense.

Fast forward to just over 6 years ago, my mum attended her first ever routine mammogram, and the doctors found something suspicious. From that point on, I was filled with dread. I will never ever forget where I was when told me that she had breast cancer. I have never felt more scared in my entire life.

It’s not my story to tell, but my mums treatment wasn’t easy. After 2 operations, chemo and radiation, the worry didn’t stop. Every time that she tells me that she has a doctors appointment, I begin to panic again, petrified that they’re going to find something suspicious.

After the longest 6 years, my mum has officially been discharged from oncology. I am so grateful to anyone who helped her on her cancer journey, and am so in awe of her bravery and resilience. I feel so proud to be her daughter and hope to carry that bravery and resilience with me every day.

Despite this, the fear does not go away. I am still petrified of breast cancer. I check myself daily, even though I’m only 25, and even though I should be low risk. I still feel panic every time mum has a doctors appointment, and I am absolutely petrified that cancer is going to come back and take her from me.

I am also so fortunate to be surrounded by some absolutely fantastic women. I am the big sister of my two beautiful, talented and caring little sisters. My auntie Lesley, who is fun, vibrant and loving. I am also privileged to coach my gymnasts who are slowly turning into young women themselves. If I can do anything at all to aid in the fight against breast cancer, then I feel I need to do it.

With that in mind, I had already decided in December last that I wanted to run a 5K this year to raise money in support of breast cancer research. My plan was to begin training the week after my exams finished in August, however I sprained 3 ligaments in my foot the day after my exam, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to run at all for the rest of the year.

I am therefore going to walk 100 miles in October to try to raise some money for Breast Cancer Now. I am so grateful to anyone who is able to like, comment or share my fundraiser, and extra grateful to anyone who can donate. Your support means the entire world to me.

And if you’ve made it this far into my long ramble, I appreciate that too.

I will be looking for company on my long walks if anyone I know wishes to join me.

Thank you in advance,

Amy xx 💗