Saturday 9th September, Kieron and I are taking on the 'Skyscraper Challenge' to support our amazing friend Nikki, who over the past 12 months has been battling breast cancer and to raise money for Breast Cancer Now 🎀 

The Skyscraper Challenge 

• Run 42 floors up The Cheesegrater
• Abseil 200 metres down The Cheesegrater

Nikki’s story ...

Cancer……… a word I hear about and see in the world but not one I thought would be in my life. This changed on a day I nudged my shoulder on the door frame one morning on the way to the bathroom and felt a quick twinge in my armpit. I had only just recently read Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud Autobiography about her breast cancer battle.

Was it this that made me check? Was it the twinge after nudging my shoulder on the doorframe ?  I’m not sure to this day to be honest.

But I did check my breast and I felt this hard lump, after mulling over and thinking am I being daft its nothing, asking a friend to have a good feel at work. I thankfully booked in to see the doctor the next day, within a few days I was at the hospital to get this checked.I wasn’t made to feel bad or that I was wasting time if it was nothing, these were the thoughts in my head.

So after biopsies, mammograms, MRI, CT scans it turns out I had a Grade 3 breast cancer tumour. What followed was 12 months of 2 surgeries, gruelling 6 blasts of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of Radiotherapy.

Now I see myself as Lucky, yes you read that right Lucky…. This is because I get to live and not everyone does so am I lucky even though its been extremely tough I am better off than so many others. If I hadn’t checked that day I may not have made it to 50, the age women are offered their first mammogram.

So awareness is key, checking those boobies and balls could mean you too are a lucky one like me.  Cancer doesn’t have to mean death if you find it early. Cancer isn’t just tough on you but your family and your friends and everyone around you, it’s a struggle for them.  So try to stop the pain of your loved ones and check now!!

Nikki Kujawa (45)

Money raised goes directly to Breast Cancer Now and towards:

• Funding a specialist nurse on their helpline for a day. Whether people are worried about breast cancer, or have a question about breast health, their team are ready to listen. Keeping the Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank open for 2 hours. 

• Using real tissue, they can make breakthroughs faster and find new ways to prevent, treat and stop breast cancer from taking lives.
  

• Funding induction training for a qualified counsellor. This means that they can deliver one of the charities ‘Living with Secondary Breast Cancer groups’ These sessions allow people to talk, listen and learn with people who understand the challenges that secondary breast cancer.
  brings.

• Helping 10 people affected by breast cancer get vital answers by calling our free Helpline. All calls are answered by breast care nurses and trained staff.

• Paying for 1 day of research. That's another day of progress, a day closer to breakthroughs, and ultimately – a day closer to a world where everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives.

Thank you for helping us to raise awareness and money for a fantastic charity and if you can't sponsor us please.....''regularly check your boobs or balls!''

Emma Louise & Kieron x