Noreen’s Story

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 triple positive breast cancer in 2022 – a day I’ll never forget. It felt like my world stopped turning when I heard the words, “You have cancer.”

My first thought was my children. I didn’t want to die – I have two boys who need their mum, especially my eldest, who has autism. I had always imagined being there for him well into old age. Suddenly, that future felt uncertain.

I had no obvious warning signs – no lump or noticeable changes. Because my mum had breast cancer at 52, I had been attending regular mammograms since turning 40. My cancer was picked up during routine screening, which shows just how vital early detection is. It can make all the difference in the treatment options available.

The past three years have been incredibly challenging. At times, I lost myself, but with the support of medical teams, family, friends, and colleagues, I found my way through. My treatment included chemotherapy before surgery, followed by further preventative treatment and ongoing hormone therapy. I now have one final bone infusion remaining and will continue daily medication for the foreseeable future.

Genetic testing showed that my cancer wasn’t linked to my mum’s. There’s no clear reason why I developed cancer – I was just unfortunate. The reality is that 1 in 2 people will face cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is a cruel disease which not only affects the person diagnosed but everyone who loves and cares about them.

That’s why research is so important. It gives hope, improves treatments, and saves lives. Supporting cancer research has become incredibly meaningful to me – last November, I raised £1,285 through one of their challenges.

Hope 52 is a fantastic fundraising event that I’m proud to support. Every penny counts in the fight to beat cancer.

Please donate what you can …

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/the-preston-college-hope-52-challenge