My mum had Breast Cancer 32 years ago. I was a kid and I didn't really know what was going on, but even as a toddler I couldn't help but notice the impact. Back in the 80's survival was the only objective. There wasn't any counselling or any reconstructive surgery. There wasn't even any make-up to cover the pretty brutal radiotherapy scars. Luckily, Mum survived. Thanks to the fabulous work that charities like Breast Cancer Now do things have changed. Monumentally. I wasn't aware of quite how much things had changed until mum told me a few weeks ago that the big C was back. But a routine mammogram had picked up a lump that she was a year off being able to feel herself. A YEAR. How far we've come.

Gene tests exist now. 10 years ago when I asked for a check up, I was felt up and told to come back in 25 years. These charities really are doing a stellar job of fighting this disease. 

If people keep going out there, doing amazing things and raising money for these charities, we'll beat this bastard. We'll beat this disease which impacts every one of us. One of my best friends lost her mum to this horrible disease a year ago. It's just claimed the life of another dear friend's mother-in-law a few weeks back. I'm riding this 100 miles for those utterly awesome ladies too.

I'm not expecting big donations, but if you've got a bit of spare change to donate to make Box Hill that tiny bit more bearable I will be so grateful. I guarantee your money is going to a great cause; lets keep fighting this and stick two fingers up to cancer.

Thanks for reading and THANK YOU for any donation, no matter how small. Em xx

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.