This is my second fundraiser since being diagnosed with breast cancer in June. We did really well the first time, so I’m hopeful for great success here too!

Having spent a LOT of time considering charities, talking to lots of people and working out where we can make a difference, this is where I have settled for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023. I look forward to working with other charitable causes throughout my journey and recovery to help anyone else who faces this terrifying disease, or anyone who can help prevent it.

My chemotherapy nurse last week highlighted an issue, sharing that the cold caps are only funded through charitable donations and it’s £450 for one (£14,000 for the machine that makes them work). She said two have broken in the last week and the staff are always having to hide them so their patient has the option. I smiled because i‘ve noticed they always struggled to find me a medium, had this been available for my first session, I wouldn’t have lost all the random bits of hair that I have from a poorly fitted cap.

Having discussed various charity options with her, she said this is something that would make the biggest difference to people like you, instead to funnelling cash to a big charity and never seeing the impact. I thought about it more and realised that I won’t be able to help with this in a couple of months, post chemo, so let’s make a difference.

To me this cause is more about mental health than anything. It’s about being able to make a decision for yourself when so many are stripped from you. Lots of people choose to use a cold cap and it can be gruelling, so let’s make it the most efficient process we can, like we are holding the hand of the next person putting it on for the first time.