Hi, I am Aileen and welcome to my fundraising page for CoppaFeel!

This September 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 life changing trek across 5 days, over 100km and climbing more than 10,000 uneven steps (I extremely dislike steps!!!!) in the Great Wall of China, in a bid to raise funds towards CoppaFeel's life-saving mission.

So that's the What. But what about the Why?

As many of you may know I was diagnosed with Primary Breast Cancer in 2011 when I was 37. After thinking I was in the clear just over 10 years later I found that the cancer had metastasised causing a tumour in my brain and a much larger tumour in my lung, leading to 2 major (and very scary) surgeries to remove them, and lifelong ongoing cancer treatment to keep further tumours at bay for as long as possible. I now live with Incurable Secondary Breast Cancer. But, what you may not know is that I found that first lump 2 years before I was diagnosed but was ignored by my GPs. I didn't have any family history, non of the risk factors, I was fit and healthy and most importantly I was young!! I went back to my GPs a couple of times over those 2 years to be told not to worry it was nothing sinister! Eventually I was referred to my local hospital to have it removed. Not because they were worried about it but because it was causing me pain. Thankfully the Registrar at the hospital looked at my lump and took me seriously and within a week I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer, as it had moved into my axillary lymph nodes.

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. Maybe if I had had that confidence to challenge my GPs when I knew something wasn't right, then I wouldn't be in the position that I am now!

I'll be running lots of other fundraising activities, not just relying on donations, so please keep a look out on my social media pages for events and updates.

Thanks so much for your donation & support. To find out more about CoppaFeel! head to www.coppafeel.org.