I (Laura Harper) was unexpectedly diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in November 2022.

Following a surgery to have what was thought to be an innocent lump removed from my thyroid but was found to contain cancer with more cells growing in my thyroid gland.

Following more surgery just before Christmas of 2022 to have the rest of my thyroid removed, I had radioactive iodine treatment in the Cancer Centre in Belfast in early 2023. This treatment killed any remaining thyroid and cancer cells that were possibly left behind following my surgeries.

During my radioactive idodine treatment, I was confined to a room for 5 days with no contact from anyone else as my body was radioactive. This was extremely hard for me as I had chose to not tell my friends and most of my family that I had been diagnosed with cancer therefore I had limited communication as people did not know where I was. The hardest part of this was being kept apart from my 2 young children while receiving treatment.

MacMillan Cancer Support were constantly there for me from shortly after my diagnosis until the present day. From explaining about my diagnosis, to applying and securing for counselling for myself, for helping me with various other challenges since November 2022.

The support, advice and resources they have given myself and my family are invaluable and we are forever indebted to them.

Thank you for all my wonderful family and friends for volunteering to run a leg in the relay race. With 20 people running, I am beyond grateful!

And thank you for all donations to a charity that will never ever get enough thanks and praise for what they do for those living with and those supporting someone with cancer.

Thank you.

Thanks for supporting my fundraising. Macmillan gives people with cancer everything they’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are Macmillan’s worries. Macmillan’s doing whatever it takes. But without your help, Macmillan can’t support everyone who needs them.

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