It was the 6th October 2006 when my happy bubble was temporarily deflated, yet I refused to let it burst.  Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer for no known reason (other than having boobs obviously) came as quite a heavy shock for me at the age of 25. 

What followed was the fight of my life...for my life.  Consisting of several operations, cocktails of chemotherapy, brain freezes, hair loss, radiotherapy, burnt skin, anti hormone treatments, hot flushes, needles, sickness, steroids, worry and tears. 

But the biggest contributor to my fight was 'LUCK'.  I am one of the fortunate ones that managed to come out the other side and for that I will be forever thankful.  I have no doubt that the years of research helped me receive the treatment that I needed and ultimately contributed to saving my life.  Yet I am only one, one in a sea of many! Unfortunately not everyone in the sea are as lucky as me and this disease still continues to devastate hundreds of lives on a daily basis. 

1) celebrating 10 years of health:

In October 2016 I am excited, yet overwhelmed to say that I will be celebrating 10 years of being extremely happy, fit, healthy (with hair and boobs) and my bubble 100% inflated again!  Yes, I have forever celebrated life since I was diagnosed (as I had before)....but this is a big, big milestone for me!! To celebrate I will again be promoting awareness, whilst raising vital funds to a charity that is close to my heart and fights to find a cure.

Over the years I have tried my best to give a little back by taking part in physical challenges and have successfully raised approximately £22,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign, Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Now.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of my family, friends and colleagues, who I could not have got through the tough times without. The tremendous love, support and encouragement I have received over the years, has really made me realise that I am lucky in more ways than being a survivor.

The charity challenges and fundraising activities I will be involved in between 2016 and 2017 are as follows:

2) Netball competition:

In 2010 I joined the Sirens netball team and between playing and training, I have developed friendships and bonds with my 'Sugartit' Sisters.  The team work and attitude that we have shows that together we are stronger, as we support, encourage and never stop fighting! Once a year a City hosts a netball competition for the weekend and this September....its coming to us.  During the weekend an incredible amount of money is raised for two charities of the hosts choice.  This year I was touched to be informed that the committee have chosen to divide the money between the National Working Group for Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking and the other, yep you've got it....Breast Cancer :) 

3) Goldilocks and the 14 gifts of hair:

During the Breast Cancer Awareness month in October 2016, myself along with 14 other amazing girls will be getting our long locks cut.  Each of us will be gifting a minimum of 7 inches of hair, which will be sent to The Little Princess Trust.  

After chemotherapy my hair and health grew back together and my hair has since offered me a sense of security.  Although the thought of having what has represented my health cut off, makes my tummy turn a little. The greater feeling I get from where my hair will go, overrides any sense of anxiety.  I understand how losing your hair feels and the little girls and boys need my hair more than I do. 

The team will consist of 12 adults and 3 children (pictured in the gallery) who have all asked to get involved and support both Breast Cancer Now and The Little Princess Trust.  The money raised will go to Breast Cancer Now and all the inches of hair will go to The Little Princess Trust, who provide real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment. 

How honoured I am to have such great friends and children who will be doing this with me.  I again have been reminded how fortunate I am to have those that support me, forever stand by my side. 

4) MEEP aim for the London Marathon 2017:

Oh...we only went and got in.

Emma and I have been friends for 14 years and have been by each others side through some incredibly tough times. Luckily these are totally out numbered by the amazing memories, challenges, zest for life and genuine love and friendship that we have between us.  We are so lucky to have found the friendship that we have in each other and there will be nothing more satisfying then completing this challenge by each others side.

Neither of us are runners and we both struggled to do 2 miles when we started training at the end of October 2016...But isn't that what a challenge is all about :/

It is now 7 weeks away and we have both been trying our best to get the miles into our legs by pounding those streets through the winter months. Despite a couple of knee, calf and friction injuries we have progressed in a way that we would have once thought to be impossible. We still have a long way to go and are under no illusion that we will find the day difficult (sometimes we still struggle to do 4 miles), but there is no end to the London Marathon other than crossing the finishing line.

...watch out for us on the television, as we have been fortunate enough to gain a place at the start line with the celebrities and elite runners!!

5) Survival of the fittest 2017:

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.