Having finished my treatment I am still committed to raising awareness about the importance of early screening for all types of cancer but particularly breast cancer and to raise funds for the cancer unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital so am looking forward to hosting a quiz night at Vino Vita in Reading on 4th April

I was diagnosed with grade 3, triple negative breast cancer on 9th November, following a routine mammogram. I honestly had no idea that I had anything wrong, besides feeling overwhelmingly tired. I couldn't feel any lump because it was very deep, but more importantly for me, it was caught very early. Had my appointment been 2 or 3 months later, it may not have been detectable yet by touch alone but because of the aggressive nature of this cancer, it could have already reached stage 3 by then.

When I shared my cancer journey with family and friends, some of my girlfriends admitted to missing appointments or postponing them for convenience. Trust me, before I decided to do the same, I checked my schedule to see if it fit in. Thankfully, I went to that first screening.

So please, if the only action you take from reading this is to make sure you go to your screening and please encourage your loved ones to do the same.

At every appointment, I have received the best care from every person I've met - from the radiographers and nurses to the receptionists and carers, my surgeon and oncologist. They are truly a special group of people who provide care and kindness in North Block at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

However, there are many things that can be done to improve both the equipment used for screening and the environment where these wonderful people work and where patients face some of their worst days. New screening equipment is desperately needed to allow more women and men to get screened. Yes guys, if you're reading this, 1 in 100 of last year's 55,500 cases of breast cancer were male patients.

Breast cancer can be curable if caught early, in fact a lot of cancers are. So please don't wait for that appointment if you feel a lump getting bigger or experience any unusual symptoms - get it checked out immediately. And don't pass up that golden ticket of your routine mammogram appointment or any routine screening that is offered to you by the NHS

The King Edward Ward where chemotherapy patients go for their treatment, as well as the waiting rooms and some consultation rooms are in desperate need of new furniture and decor. They even experience power outages during flooding due to insufficient generators.

Until a new hospital is built, there won't be sufficient funds to improve these facilities - so they could use some help. That's why I've decided to do something about it.

Firstly, I decided to take control and cut my shoulder-length hair short as a preparation for losing it during chemotherapy. Secondly, I dyed it purple because why not? And thirdly - this is where I hope you'll come in - on 25th February 2024, I will be getting a buzz cut and want to raise as much funding as possible for Royal Berks Charity.

Please donate to my page and make a difference

And please sign up for updates as I share my journey and recovery with you and it goes without saying PLEASE SHARE MY PAGE to your network

The money raised will be split between getting new screening equipment, improving decor and furniture in King Edward Ward, as well as providing funding for the hair clinic so that funding is available for those that need it most as a patients mental health and self-esteem is so important to aid recovery.

I know having chemotherapy is the best insurance policy that the team at RBH can give me to be cancer-free and gift me all those tomorrows waiting for me to enjoy.