My Cancer My Choices is supporting my incredible friend, Laura Stiles, through her cancer journey.  Please help me to raise as much as we can for this amazing charity.

Here is Laura's story:

In December 2020, after completing a 100 mile running challenge during the November lockdown, Laura discovered a lump in her left breast. Following a quick referral, she was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 9th and told it had already spread to the lymph nodes in her neck. Treatment started in January 2021 and two years later, she is currently undergoing her 27th round of chemotherapy & hormone therapy.

A few weeks after starting breast cancer treatment, Laura had a routine cervical screening test that showed high grade cell changes and was subsequently diagnosed with stage 1B1 cervical cancer on March 3rd 2021. This was totally unrelated to the breast cancer – a very rare and very much unwanted coincidence. The cervical cancer was treated with a full hysterectomy and at the same time, Laura had an oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) as her breast cancer is oestrogen receptive. So, at 41, Laura was diagnosed with two cancers three months apart, and plunged in to surgical menopause. All of this in the height of a pandemic, having to self-isolate and not being allowed any hospital visitors.

"Since my life was turned upside down in December 2020, and then again in March 2021, I have been learning to accept and live with cancer. The impact on mental health is certainly the more challenging aspect for me right now. I’m not swimming with dolphins, or doing any of the other cancer cliches but I am trying to live a full and happy life. I have two children who are now 9 and 12, I got a dog a year ago and love time spent walking with her, I still work full time and I make time to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. I’ve been involved in raising money for My Cancer My Choices who have supported me since diagnosis with mindfulness courses and acupuncture (to relieve menopause side effects as I can’t take HRT or any supplements). I took part in Battle Cancer in October 2021, raising over £6000 for the charity and will do it again this year. I was also part of their charity fashion show in September 2022, modelling outfits alongside other people who have had, or have cancer. I’ve also recently got involved with another cancer charity, The Fruit Fly Collective and am part of a steering team to design and build a Parenting with Cancer 8 week coaching course and online resource. I’m pretty busy; intentionally so, as this keeps the cancer noise level dialled down to about a 2 or 3 most of the time. I want cancer to be a small c in my life, not a big C".

One in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. Cancer affects the body, mind and spirit and MCMC passionately believes everyone with cancer should have access, from diagnosis, to complementary therapies. MCMC's volunteer, specialist therapists offer free, one-to-one treatments such as acupuncture and massage, alongside group courses in mindfulness and yoga. These aim to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment and can make the cancer journey easier by encouraging relaxation and reducing stress. 

MCMC is a small, local charity which helps those living with cancer to access complementary therapies, easing the side effects or enhancing wellbeing - and your donations will make a big difference to them.

Thank you x