Susan Faber
A Step Ahead Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
Raising Awareness For The Prevention Of Breast Cancer
WALK THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY WITH US
26TH -31ST AUGUST 2008
Sponsored by Blythswood Motors
UPDATE.......
On the recommendation of Cancer Research UK, the money we are raising will go directly to a study being conducted at Glasgow University by Dr David Stott. This study is linking the immune system and breast cancer. Any money donated on this website will be given to this cause.
The team from Mexico are raising money for the much needed training of technicians to operate the equipment they already have in very poor areas of Mexico. It costs $8000 to train one person. They have set a target of $80,000.
Please contact us for more information.
OUR STORY
We are three sisters who have always been very breast aware – after having lost our mother Lorna to breast cancer, aged only 47, in 1986. We are now all married with children of our own. I’m Sue, and I live in Glasgow, Elaine lives in Mexico City , and Karen lives in New Jersey, USA.
We have all tested positive for BRCA 1 mutation – meaning we have an 85% chance of getting breast cancer and 20% chance of contracting ovarian cancer.
In April 2006 a mammogram showed I had “in situ” cancer cells and I decided to opt for elective surgery.
In June 2006, just 2 months after having her baby, Karen discovered a lump and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She was given a double mastectomy in July 2006, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
All three of us have undergone bi lateral mastectomies, reconstruction and in November 2007, I had my ovaries removed. Both Elaine and Karen plan on doing this too.
It has been a very emotional time and made even more difficult by the fact that we live so far away from each other.
I felt very strongly that I wanted to raise awareness of the gene mutation. At the same time I knew that I could raise some money for CRUK (Cancer Research ). The 3 of us are taking on the challenge of “The West Highland Way” - a 95 mile hike up the West Coast of Scotland from Glasgow to the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
We are being joined by two very close friends. Neil Spence is an experienced homeopath, skilled hill walker and will look after us en route. Madeleine Black is a very close friend of the family too. Neil’s wife, Phyl is following the Way in her car, transporting bags and food. Also joining us is Elaine’s sister- in- law, Liora Gittler, who works for a prestigious health magazine in Mexico City . The magazine’s editor, Lulu Salnikov, is walking too and is writing an article on our experiences. Other friends and family will be joining at the weekend to finish with us. We are hoping that many people will walk with us at any point of the
West Highland Way..............................................................
We also want to show what can be achieved after taking such a difficult decision. (It was actually an easy decision to make in the end). We leave from Milngavie on Tues 26th Aug 2008 and will arrive inFortWilliam on Sunday 31st.
We are happy that we have been given the opportunity to do something about our situation. We have changed the likelihood of getting breast cancer from 85% to 0.5% and even more importantly make the future safer for our children and our children’s children. We consider ourselves lucky. We are all healthy and thankfully, our Karen is all clear.
Our message to other women out there is that you can be, and must be, even more “breast aware”. If you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family you have options instead of just waiting for it to happen. Be a “Step Ahead”.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER TO TAKE PART, PLEASE EMAIL
Cheques should be sent directly to
The Secretary
A Step Ahead
55 Rouken Glen Road
Giffnock
GLASGOW
G46 7JD