Welcome to my fundraising page for CoppaFeel! This November, I will set out on a challenging, extraordinary and life-changing trek, all in the name of checking chests! Along with Gi Fletcher and some other famous faces, I will embark on a 5 day trek in the Indian Himalayas, in a bid to raise funds towards CoppaFeel's life-saving mission.

I have first hand experience on how the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis can affect your life and that of those you love too.  

In March 2022, just before my sister’s big 4 0 celebrations, I was told I had cervical cancer. There is nothing in this world that can prepare you for receiving such a blow. Shock, fear, worry and intense sadness are just some of the many emotions that fluctuated at that time. I’ll never forget hearing the heartbreaking sobs of my husband. Knowing I was the reason for his unimaginable sadness. Then having to go home and see my one year old daughter and try to shelter her from all that was happening while trying to process everything. At night time I would cradle her sleeping body in my arms and sob. Sob for us, for what may/may not be. What I may miss, what would she remember of me? All these horrible yet really real things go through your mind. Knowing I had to put on a brave face for my sister’s celebrations and then having to tell everyone my news at a later date was an unwelcome burden.  And that’s just it, cancer doesn’t just affect the person with it, it affects those you love and care about around you. In many ways, having to deal with that is just as big of a battle, if not more so.

After what felt like an eternity, with endless sleepless nights, uncertainty and a feeling of losing control, control of your own body, I had an operation to remove lymph nodes from my abdomen in an effort to identify if the cancer was contained or had spread.

Luckily for me I am happy to say, it hadn’t! It was caught early and completely removed. But the mental strain and load of the ordeal is another thing.  It has affected my entire life and will continue to do so. That fear never goes away. The medical monitoring for years to come.

But, life is a gift! And we must cherish every last drop we are blessed with. So, as part of my New Year’s resolutions (aka midlife crisis as I turn the big 4 0 myself this year) I’ve decided 2024 is my ‘just go for it!’ Year. And this trek is definitely going to be one amazing, life changing and uplifting experiences! Knowing what’s to come is so thrilling and exciting. BRING IT ON!

Your donations will not only support my fundraising target, but most importantly CoppaFeel!. They are on a mission to stamp out the late diagnosis of breast cancer by making sure that young people are regularly checking their boobs, pecs and chests and getting to know their bodies in order to have the confidence to see their GP if something just doesn't feel normal. Thanks so much for your donation & support. To find out more about CoppaFeel! head to www.coppafeel.org.