In June 2016 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I had already lost my mother (herself a Profoundly Deaf, awe inspiring amazing lady) to Breast Cancer in 2005, Breast Cancer wasn't alien to me.  I had sat with mum through hours of chemotherapy listening to the other ladies around,  relaying to my mum the wonderful courageous life stories  that I know gave her such support and a feeling of camaraderie, these times I know also helped me  build my own resilience and sheer determination,  that upon my diagnoses, anything I could do to try to keep any 'normality'  whilst  receiving treatment was something that I was going to do.

Running is something I have just done, for many years, I have ran  one marathon, numerous half marathons, 10 k's and the Race for Life every year since 2005, this included taking part on 25th June 2016, 3 days before I was going in for my mastectomy.   As you can probably see, running is something I just do.

Running is something I did throughout my treatment, on days I couldn't run I would walk, dragging my husband, children, friends around with me.  It was the ability to keep physically, therefore, mentally fit at the worst time of my life, that helped me through the very dark unpleasant days.

I have been employed by Deafness Support Network since 1994.  I have been fortunate for nearly 25 years to have a career that has helped to develop me into the professional I am today.  I work as a BSL/English Interpreter I feel privileged to be part of every aspect of Deaf Peoples lives where communication support is required.  I can honestly say I Love my Job and the people I work with.  

Throughout my diagnosis, treatments, and other medical complications that go alongside,  Deafness Support Network as an employer were marvelous.  They supported me throughout and helped with my phase return back into work.

I want to raise money for this Charitable Organisation, Deafness Support Network, who having faced the challenges of cuts in funding, have been able to still provide much needed services to Deaf people, Deaf people who are my family, my friends, my colleagues, users of the service that I provide through Deafness Support Network and people who are  overlooked as Deafness, especially Deaf People who use British Sign Language are often not seen.

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