We are raising money for Yes to Life to support Julia in continuing her breast cancer treatment in Brighton & Hove, London and Guildford. She will continue to receive a range of treatments to sustain a full recovery from advanced Breast cancer. 

At the time of Julia's breast cancer diagnosis she was living in Brighton with her partner and bonus daughter and close to her two wonderful young adult children. Julia worked in Brighton & Hove as a massage therapist, Reflexologist and teacher of Scaravelli inspired Hatha Yoga. She taught yoga at Brighton University; 1:1 sessions and classes, particularly enjoying teaching people with learning difficulties and/or severe pain issues. 

Julia explains "Every aspect of my work and life at this time was fulfilling but I didn’t feel well enough to enjoy it and hadn’t done for some time". Julia's rapid weight loss and breast tenderness alerted her to a problem.

"My caring team at the hospital delivered their diagnosis of Grade 3 invasive ductal breast carcinoma (a 45mm tumour  and cancer in all the lymph nodes in my left armpit) and they gave a dire prognosis. I was warned that I must make a decision to follow their treatment plan and avoid complementary therapies apart from yoga and a ‘good diet’ or suffer fatal consequences, in as little as two years.

I knew it was important not to panic, to make my decisions carefully as I assembled a team. My existing nutritionist recommended a nutritionist (herself a cancer survivor) who specialises in nutrition for cancer, working closely with medical doctors.

From the start I knew I wanted to be at the centre of all decisions regarding my life. The message that the cancer was in charge I recognised as potentially fatal to me. A friend told me about Yes to Life. My support had arrived. 

The counselling and resources offered by YTL helped me navigate my way to a tailored concessionary cost treatment programme which included specialised nutrition, HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen treatment), Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. 

From 'The Topic of Cancer' by Jessica Richards I learnt about the eminent consultant breast and melanoma surgeon Mark Kissin who I asked to advise, guide and augment my treatment within the mainstream NHS. I couldn’t afford to go privately when I found the NHS were bound by very strict protocols. His help included a timely detection of a metastases in the lymph post-operatively (returning cancer) which was then dealt with promptly through my local hospital.

From there on it’s been the love of my extraordinary family, my friends and the care of an incredible team of therapists, doctors and nurses which, for these past two years, has helped me to find hope and ultimately, my vision for recovery.

So welcome aboard :) and thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

For tickets to my Community Fundraiser/Party in Brighton: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/julias-community-fundraiser-4-julia-food-music-raffle-tickets-35918659678

If you can't come to the fundraiser/party please donate here. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.