Why am I running the Vitality 10k on Monday 27th May for the Leanne Pero Foundation?

This is why. Having worked around cancer for over a decade, I have become aware that many BAME women (Black and Minority Ethnicities) have less opportunities to meet other BAME women who are going through the similar experiences, and often say that they can feel less understood and less represented in the cancer world. This means they often do not get the support they need around diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This needs to change.

Leanne Pero experienced cancer, and after recovery, she set up her foundation to support other BAME women. Her first awareness raising photoshoot of BAME women cancer survivors, 'Black Women Rising' was a huge success and many BAME women felt heard, understood and supported for the first time ever.

I want to support this movement. Therefore I am wholeheartedly giving my support to 'Black Women Rising' by running to raise awareness, and to unite and encourage more open talk around ensuring relevant support is being offered to all our communities of women facing cancer.

Support that makes women feel valued for who they are, not left feeling isolated or different. Cancer is hard to talk about, especially in communities where historically it has been a taboo subject. If we unite together to give BAME women strength, we can work towards ending shame, isolation and suffering.

Thank you for caring, thank you for supporting me in this run.