I'm taking on Barts Hike for Health 2024 to support life-changing healthcare in East London, while also raising awareness of breast cancer and BRCA gene mutations.

Cancer has affected several members of my family over the years. The discovery that this was associated with BRCA2 gene mutation (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet) running in my family has offered some explanation of my family history, on top of providing the necessary life-saving-monitoring and care.

My recent diagnosis of breast cancer was therefore early enough to give me the possibility of life-saving treatment and options that were not open to my family. The medical and nurses’ teams at St Barts and Royal London Hospitals have been exceptional, treating and caring for me with professionalism and warmth.

I experienced the best of what the NHS has to offer, and I want to support Barts Charity so that it can continue to provide the same level of support to those who need it.

I will do my best to walk 10km on the 29th together with my lovely husband Tim.

Barts Charity is there through it all, working in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust and local research institutes to support care excellence and fund world-leading medical research. But to keep being there they need your support.

Thank you.