We are back for 2026! This is probably going to be my final run, back in my favourite city in the world… London! We are raising money again for breast cancer now. This charity is very important to me and my family as most of you know. Please help us raise funds for them, to help more people, fund more research and support for people who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

In May 2024, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. On July 8th, I had a mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction, where they take tissue from the stomach, plumb it in to your heart using a vain and artery so it stays alive, which makes a natural looking breast without requiring implants. The operation took around 14.5 hours and 2 surgical teams, one being the breast surgeons to remove the breast and lymph nodes, and the other being plastic surgeons to make the reconstruction. 4 lymph nodes were taken using sentinel lymph node biopsies, which luckily came back negative. My biopsies were sent for oncotype DX testing in America, where a full report is generated to decide if chemotherapy is beneficial.

The breast that was removed was sent to the lab, which revealed not only invasive tumours, but something called DCIS, which was sat in my milk ducts waiting to become invasive. The mastectomy margins were clear, and ten years of hormone treatment began. This treatment puts you in the menopause literally overnight, due to the type of breast cancer it is. Monthly injections and daily medication, and trips to Rosemere Centre at Preston began. I had a few more surgeries in the months after the mastectomy as a nipple reconstruction was needed and abdominal corrections. The team looking after me were incredible.

I am so grateful for the research that has gone into breast cancer so far, as it meant that I got the treatment and the surgery that I have had. Without charities like breast cancer now, the research, treatment and testing will not advance. The more research, the better futures people will have when diagnosed with breast cancer.