Having lived through my own cancer journey I feel very passionate about the importance of raising awareness of breast cancer, from checking your breasts to donating to research for prevention.

Apologies for a long message, many of you already know my story but here’s a reminder to help understand why I’m fundraising-

Just a few years ago, I had big plans. I was running lots, getting really fit and aiming for my first marathon. In November 2019 however, I found a lump on my breast whilst in the shower one morning. This began my nightmare. Tests, appointments, scans, biopsies…leading to finding out a few days before Christmas that it was cancer. Getting the news was so awful I can’t describe it.

I had lumpectomy surgery late January 2020 and for the whole of February I was only to do the exercises given to me by the hospital. I hated that blooming sheet of paper. I’d gone from training so hard to struggling to “tickle the wall”! I was so upset, I never thought I’d run again. My Husband started to walk me up the street, getting a little further each day just to start building me up again!

Then of course there was the added pressure of choosing my treatment plan. Did I have chemo or not? That’s when Shelley my breast care nurse really came in. She listened whilst I bawled my eyes out, reassured me as I made my decisions. She was fantastic!

I ended up doing 4 weeks of radiotherapy, but because of lockdown, my husband wasn’t allowed in with me, so that was pretty scary doing it alone!

The preventive treatments I’m still on are a continuous reminder of this awful thing. I have tablets every day, and until January this year, injections to the stomach every month. I’ve also had bisphosphonate drips (to strengthen my bones)…. I have a prosthesis because of the radiotherapy swelling the breast I had surgery on which also brings on difficulties when choosing outfits.

I’m not going to lie, some days are difficult. But I’m still here, smiling and I'm determined to live life to the fullest! (I’ve even completed two marathons!)

Please help by giving what you can on my Wear it Pink day (Thursday 29th October)- play some of the games, buy some raffle tickets or cakes to help improve someone else’s cancer journey.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, hope you’ve not fallen asleep! Thank you all for your support.

Kate xx.

Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s leading breast cancer charity. They’re combining the power of science and support to change breast cancer. Now.

They’re funding some of the world’s best science now, so no one dies of breast cancer in the future. The providing life-changing support now, so no one faces breast cancer alone. And

they’re campaigning now – for better awareness, quicker, earlier diagnosis and access to treatments – so everyone with breast can live and live well.

They’ve been making change happen for over 50 years, and they’re not stopping now. Because they have a bold vision. That by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.