Trotters 10th anniversary trek

I discovered I had cancer in 2009. I was in my early 40’s and felt perfectly well, in the 3rd year of studying Acupuncture at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine when I found a lump in my breast.

The NHS are incredible and I felt looked after and cared for by the wonderful team at the RBH cancer centre. However, I wanted to be part of the plan of action and do things for myself and empower myself to have the best possible outcome for my health.

At that time, the only complementary therapy available was at the local Hospice. They do an amazing job but its not a word you want to hear when you are first diagnosed with cancer.

When my treatment of surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy began, I looked to support myself with other strategies. I explored diet, exercise, and complementary therapy.

With cancer, came uncertainty, a loss of control and fear that the cancer would return. I know these are very common feelings for people with cancer.

I qualified as an acupuncturist in 2011 and started to think about what I could do to support people right at the start of their journey with cancer. The seed of MCMC began!!

I met Liz who had a nursing background and a fellow acupuncturist and together we co founded MCMC. We started treatments in the RBH and Bracknell Healthspace.

My personal experience of cancer in 2009 and the loss of both my mum and then my best friend in 2020 to cancer have been such motivators for my continued involvement with the charity.

Cancer can be brutal in terms of treatment, its effect on you and your family and friends, but for me the power of MCMC is making other treatments accessible to everyone with cancer to guide, support, empower and have some hope.

10 years on we are in 4 locations across Berkshire, treated over 2,000 people and have therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, massage, mindfulness, art therapy, yoga and pilates to offer.

I am doing this walk because:

I would like to celebrate 10 years of my cancer my choices and giving people with cancer choice.

I want to raise funds to support the charity to provide treatments for all the incredibly inspiring people we have the privilege to meet in the charity.

And just for me … I love walking and it has been so important to my mental and physical health 15 years on. The journey of 40 miles begins with a single step!

🙏🙏🙏🙏 so much for your support. It means the world.