Nothing will ever prepare you for hearing the words, “you have cancer”.

It’s like a loud gunshot going off in your mind, sending you into complete shock as your life as you knew it shatters into pieces.

Three simple words that have the power to alter your life.

I remember Anitas face as she smiled at the consultant with that big beautiful smile of hers and proceeded to ask for the prognosis.

Being told you’ve a year to live, at most, would send anyone into distress, but strength, courage and blind belief rose up from her very being as she declared that God had already won the battle and He can and will heal her.

I was bowled over by her faith.

We got brought into a side room. A room that I’m sure had seen many many tears over the years. We cried and prayed. Clinging to each other in fear but our hearts clinging to the hope we had in God.

It’s in this room we realised we didn’t have to do this on our own, there were organisations and charities to help us in all aspects of our cancer journey.

It was a lot to take in, but we were so thankful to know we didn’t have to do it alone.

This is why I’m completing the Cancer Focus Mourne Seven Summit Challange, in June.

As a family we want to make sure other families in their time of greatest need can be met with the same love and access to resources that we were afforded.

We never thought we would be the ones getting that news. Nobody does. When it’s you, when you’re needing the help you’re so thankful for every individual that decided to support that charity. It makes all the difference.

Please join us in making a difference for families who will be faced with a cancer diagnosis this coming year.