What am I doing?

Throughout 2024 and 2025 I will be putting myself through a range of (painful but hopefully fun) activities and events to raise money as a representative for and on behalf Manchester Foundation Trust Charity to raise money for "Build to Beat Breast Cancer".

A full list of activities are on my Team Page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/ginja-ninja-fundraising

This page is specifically focused on the TCS London Marathon 2025 (I must be crazy!!!!)

If you know me, then you'll know for one thing that I don't give up - and the other thing is that if there is any opportunity, I'll be doing it in fancy dress... so keep an eye out for me! I

Please donate what you can, and help me raise money for this much-needed and worthy local charity.

Thanks, Ali x

Follow my fundraising on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginja_ninja_fundraising

I will post regular updates on all events, pre and post event activities and of course, what costume I will be wearing!

My Story...

Here's a little about me and why this is so important...

My Mum had breast cancer at the age of 37; triple negative breast cancer. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, but decided against reconstruction. My memories of seeing her in hospital, with drains and tubes everywhere are still very vivid in my mind, she wrote me letters whilst she was in hospital and I was been cared for by my Grandparents.

Many years later my Mum received communication from the Royal Marsden to say that after securing funding for research they had found a genetic link for my Mum's cancer and that other family members should be tested. I was only in my late 20’s when I went through genetic counselling, they explained that they could tell me I either did have a genetic link or didn’t and then the decisions on what I do with that information were with me.

It was identified that I carried the BRCA1 gene mutation. I was referred to a Consultant Breast Surgeon in Leeds, Mr Mark Lansdown. He said it was a matter of when rather than if I would have breast cancer, I appreciated his frank way of talking as I felt better informed. I was put on a surveillance program, where I received annual breast ultrasound and also TV and abdo US for the additional risk of ovarian Ca. It was on an annual US when I was diagnosed with carcinoma in situ in the left breast. Without the availability of this early detection I have no doubt that my life would be a very different story.

It was recommended that I undergo a double mastectomy rather than just a lumpectomy. I initially had reconstruction using expanders and implants which weren’t very successful and caused a lot of deformity and distortion. Despite the positivity of finding the tumour early and been treated, my confidence was so low and I hid away from the world. Eventually I gave myself a blooming good talking to and decided to find my own way of improving my perception of my body. As usual, I don’t do things by half; I decided to become a life model for art students at degree level and also for sculptures. Seeing their interpretation of my form and how beautiful it was to them gave me an incredible boost. It was almost like therapy for me.

I moved to Manchester and under the care of Wythenshawe Hospitals Nightingale Centre; I met Miss Victoria Rose who was the lead surgeon in reconstruction, she said she was confident she could improve the appearance of my previous reconstruction by performing a DIEP flap procedure. The surgery was highly successful and gave me a new confidence and belief in myself.

In 2021 I was preparing to have an oophorectomy to minimise my risk of ovarian cancer when I was diagnosed with an underlying sinister pathology. As a consequence of this finding, my surgeon, at St Mary's, decided to perform a hysterectomy. After the surgery I was told that they had discovered an unusual/rare pathology of intravascular leiomyomatosis, where tumours can extend from the uterine veins and migrate to the heart.

Despite suffering from Long-Covid Syndrome, going through a surgical menopause and generally feeling the impact of life’s challenges, I decided that the best way I can try and repay the NHS for saving my life is to fundraise, in my own inimitable fashion.

I started doing the Couch to 5K; I am not a runner I hasten to add (who am I kidding)… I am a fancy dresser who runs! I would have been one of those people who would look at runners and think….why don’t you just get a bus!

I live in the now, I challenge myself to run further, climb higher, dress dafter. By overcoming my fears I demonstrate to my daughter that whilst life can be so difficult if we try to embrace the struggles and become mentally stronger then we have a better chance of tackling the physical elements.

Choosing the Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal is so significant for me, the ability to help an appeal which I suspect will be used by my daughter,; it’s highly likely that she carries the BRCA1 mutation and early detection is paramount in identifying breast cancer and providing a better prognosis. I'm inspired to fundraise due to my family history and my own experience with breast cancer and the future prospects of my own daughter carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation.

The events I complete are very personal challenges which I see as both mentally and physically demanding but worth all the effort and pain, I feel they are a privilege for me to participate in, as life could have been very different for me. I always do events in fancy dress; makes me smile, makes others smile and I feel such a sense of reward if I can make someone’s day happier.

Events are always hard; hard to find time to train, recent injuries and fatigue. I currently have an ankle injury and had cortisone injections in several discs but keep going. Always reminding myself that the battle is more about the state of mind rather than the body. I always remain positive that I will complete events, might not be the fastest but it will be smiles all the way and hopefully a few more pounds towards my target.

I am always nervous prior to any event, on many occasions I've been sick with anxiety as I don’t want to let anyone down. One of the biggest elements for me is the outfit, the level of detail I go to in choosing a fancy dress costume and the happiness that brings to people and the encouragement I get from that are great motivators.

Please support my fundraising; It’s local, for many it’s personal and its prevention rather than cure, it’s proactive. Whilst fundraising is about giving it’s also about the benefits you receive as a fundraiser, for me its better headspace and improved physical fitness, plus the pride from my daughter.

Manchester Foundation Trust Charity

I have teamed up with Manchester Foundation Trust Charity and Prevent Breast Cancer to help raise the £3.5m needed to build a national training academy to ensure we continue to create a strong team of breast cancer professionals who help save lives - right here in the Wythenshawe Manchester!

The ‘Build To Beat Breast Cancer’ appeal is raising funds for a new National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) training facility – an all new extension to the Nightingale Centre at our Wythenshawe Hospital site – to provide training for the new and future generations of breast imaging & clinical experts, who will be the force behind helping thousands more women in the region get their mammograms, early detection - saving lives.

Have a watch of our appeal video video, where our medical experts and breast cancer patients explain why this centre is so vital.

As a charity our mission is simple: to support the excellence in treatment, research and care we provide to our patients each and every day. We want to make a real difference to the people we treat – young and old – by making sure that they continue to receive the very best treatment in the very best facilities: https://mftcharity.org.uk/campaigns/build-to-beat-breast-cancer/

You can also read more here: https://nationalbreastimagingacademy.org/training-centre/