Liz Stanley: A Pink Shopper, a Pair of Walking Shoes, and 100 Miles for Change

The support for Breast Cancer Now came around from when I have found something unusual twice, I was super lucky and had the all clear both times without any invasive treatment. The support from information provided was really clear and easy to understand and from this I wanted to support them in return – this has been a mix of a monthly donation and varying fundraisers.

Did you know that men and women can have breast cancer?

Fundraising more recently has been by organising afternoon teas at the office and at summer networking events (Beechwood Park and Tredegar Park).

This year, time vanished and mid-September arrived in a flash. I had a nose on Breast Cancer Now site to see what fundraising events there were really achievable for me to join in and would also push me. Low and behold, up popped Walk 100 Miles in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I love a good explore and a good walk so without hesitation signed up.

Now one of the first things I did on the monthly paper tracker was to add my why’s – the family and friends who had / have breast cancer. I did this so that on days that felt tougher than usual I had a physical reminder at home and in the office. Treatment and diagnosis has come on so much – when my Nana (great grandmother) was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the 40’s, the treatment was a double mastectomy – she passed away when I was very little but had many years after the diagnosis and treatment. More recently a friend has Stage 4 cancer and agreed to take part with new treatment trials – funded by Breast Cancer Now among other cancer charities. Far too many friends from all walks of life have and have had breast cancer and this challenge is for all of them.

I knew from the start that massive long walks weren’t very feasible but regular strolls would be more than achievable. The pattern has now become:

During the week:
Lunch time walks to the Greyhound from the office and back plus an extended route walking home when at the office.

Saturday:
Keep an eye out for the bright pink shopper heading into town for my weekly fruit and veg shop, a good browse around town (there is so much there) then back again.

Sunday:
This is a rest day and builds in a bit of flexibility should the weather turn (it is October afterall).

I have been mixing it up a bit and got involved with a charity fashion show in the Newport Mercure Hotel – as this was after work, my lunchtime walk was replaced with a wonderful stroll into the city centre and of course a few runs of the catwalk.

Additional fundraising efforts have included a large tub of retro sweets by the office and an honesty box – the proceeds from this are paid into the Just Giving link on a weekly basis.

You can donate via the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth1758817485730

Did you know that you can receive a FREE monthly text reminder to check your chest. We all need to check regularly and report anything unusual.
There is a lot of support, guidance and the sign up for the free text on Coppafeel https://coppafeel.org/get-a-reminder/

By Liz Stanley