Cancer during pregnancy is a rare occurrence & one that isn’t often understood or spoken about. However it happened to me, aged 33 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 when 16 weeks pregnant with our second child. 

We have been fortunate enough to have been supported by family, friends and charities through this difficult time. Mummy’s Star has been a huge support. Although united by unfortunate circumstances, I joined a group of Mothers who have been through a similar situation. Mummy's Star is the only charity in the UK and Ireland dedicated to supporting pregnancy through cancer and beyond. 

Mummy’s Star have helped me emotionally through my cancer journey. They also helped by giving The Hearts Milk Foundation a grant so they could give us donor breast milk for our daughter when she was born premature.

I have been chosen as a deserving Mother to take part in the "Up at the O2 Mothers Day Climb" on 14th March. I will meet fellow Mummy’s Star members for the first time as we embark on a new experience and climb the O2 together.

Our Star baby is already 21 months old. Two years on from diagnosis, after a mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, injections and daily tablets, I feel this is the time to give back to one of the charities that truly helped us. 

If you are able to donate, it would make a huge difference. Your donation means that women diagnosed with any cancer during pregnancy or within a year of a birth are able to reach Mummy's Star and the specialised support they offer. 

They help families to meet others in a similar position, offer small grants to relieve some financial burden, give support to partners and the wider family, promote awareness and support research. 

I continue to document my journey on my blog and look forward to sharing a post and photos after the climb: 
https://paulanicki.wixsite.com/breastandbeyond/

Thank you in advance

Paula x