Cancer has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

When I was 10 years old, I lost my mum to breast cancer. Watching her fight, and ultimately lose, left a mark on me that I carry every day. From that moment, I understood the fear, heartbreak, and uncertainty cancer brings.

A few years later, when I was 15, my aunty was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember watching a documentary about BRCA around that time, and even then I knew I had to find out if I carried the gene. That early awareness stayed with me and shaped the decisions I would make in the years to come.

At 18, I discovered I was BRCA1 positive. While most people my age were navigating college and friendships, I was confronted with the reality that I had inherited the same gene mutation that had taken my mum from me.

By 22, I made the difficult decision to have my first bilateral mastectomy as a preventive measure. It was a life-changing choice, and since then I’ve faced years of complications and multiple additional surgeries, each one challenging both physically and emotionally. Every step has been about taking control of my health and reducing my cancer risk.

Now, at 35, I continue to navigate life with BRCA1. Soon, I will need to decide whether to have my ovaries removed as another preventive step — a decision that weighs heavily on me, but is part of protecting my future.

Although I’ve only been following BRCA+ Chat for a year, it has already become an invaluable source of support and understanding. I wish I had found BRCA+ Chat much earlier — it would have made a huge difference in helping me feel less alone throughout this journey. The community provides guidance for people navigating genetic testing, preventive surgeries, and the emotional toll of hereditary cancer risk. They are already providing online support and meet-ups across the UK, and raising more money would help fund bigger events, guest speakers, and expanded support. Knowing that others understand what I’m going through makes a huge difference.

To help raise funds for this incredible community, my lovely friend Fleur and I will be completing a marathon-distance route in the New Forest and we’re taking on the challenge to support BRCA+ Chat and anyone affected by BRCA gene mutations.

Your donation will help provide vital information, emotional support, and a safe space for anyone facing life-changing BRCA decisions — whether they find out at 18, 28, or 58. It ensures that no one has to face this journey alone and helps families like mine have hope for a healthier future.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for supporting BRCA+ Chat.

Your kindness truly makes a difference.

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