Story
I was 36, when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Then last summer I was diagnosed with skin cancer. When I was diagnosed, the tailored research and genetic testing was available to me to help treat my cancer. I have now been in remission for 9 years. Without support and the current medical treatments today that is available to many patients, I would not be alive, and my cancer would have gone everywhere. This which and why myself and my family taking part in a Race for Life to raise money and save lives. Cancer overall has changed my life in many ways, not all good. Its impact on other’s lives as well, is longstanding. I am taking on this fund raiser to raise awareness and for my mom. Cancer took my mom when I was 18. Her death had a major impact on me and my future. Major life events she never saw due to the disease. If research was available and more accessible, her life might have been prolonged or even saved. Unfortunately, treatments, and proper research into familial breast cancer were not available for her, even in the USA. There was also the negative stigma around cancer, especially breast cancer. It made her afraid to push for early diagnosis. The delays cost her, her life. As a result, my mom missed so many milestones with her family she should have been able to enjoy. For example, she never saw my children, never saw me get my bachelor’s or master’s degree or start on my PhD journey. She never saw my siblings go on and achieve great things. Therefore, as a goal I am working on this event as I do not want cancer to do that to my children or anyone else’s. So I fight and I live. Ultimately, I have hope to have the best life possible despite this difficult journey I continue to face. My daughters and little horse Scotty have 100% supported me on my journey and continue to do so... even with this event. Some Cancer Facts: Current statistics state that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound or dollar you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s ground-breaking work. Thank you for your support! Help us live the best life possible and aid in research to help people like me continue to life their best life possible.