My Story

Over 2000 women aged 39 and under are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Two years ago, Girls Aloud singer, Sarah Harding, died from breast cancer aged only 39. Her death shook women across the world, many having previously thought of  breast cancer as an older person's illness. It can affect any one of us. Her only wish was to prevent other young women from unnecessarily succumbing to this illness. 

That wish may now become a reality thanks to the groundbreaking Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women (BCAN-RAY) project that launched this year. It is one of the first in the world to identify women who are at risk of getting the disease in their thirties, and the aim is to extend this screening to all women in this age group. 

I took part as the first participant in this trial, an opportunity that I feel truly honoured to have been given and hopefully the first step in saving the lives of millions of young women.

The Christie Charity is working with The Nightingale Centre, University of Manchester, Cambridge University and UCL in spearheading this project but they need funding to make it happen. I will be running the 2024 TCS London Marathon, aiming to raise £2000 for The Christie Charity so that we can ensure that projects such as BCAN-RAY Project can be successful and improve our lives.

I would be grateful for any donations I receive towards this cause.

Catherine 😊