My Breakthrough
My Story by Ann Gould
I was diagnosed with breast cancer last December and looking back to that day things seemed initially rather bleak. But by January (after the operation), life took on a new, more positive turn; Bronte, my 10 year old daughter encouraged me to take part in The Aviva Weekend to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Bronte also became the first visitor to my web page and kicked off my fundraising by donating £40 that she was given as a Christmas present.
My own personal motivation in fundraising and taking part in The Weekend was that I found it cathartic. It provided me with a reason to improve my physical fitness with regular training, and the fundraising kept me occupied, motivated and mentally focussed in a really positive way. I knew that I was doing something to help in my own small way in the fight against breast cancer. I was so determined to do everything I could in order to survive this ordeal because I didn’t want to leave behind my little girls or my husband, Peter. I want to be around on the day that Breakthrough announces their discovery of a cure for breast cancer – better still that they have found a way of preventing the disease in the first place.
No sooner had I started fundraising than The Weekend was upon us (doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun)? I felt so incredibly honoured to be asked to be one of eight women who formed the ‘Survivors Circle’ during the opening and closing ceremonies – not a dry eye in the house!
I did feel a little like a cheat being one of the eight, as I was still undergoing radiotherapy at the time of The Weekend and felt it may be a little premature to call me a ‘survivor’. But, I am determined to overcome this disease; I know the cancer was successfully removed and I am doing everything within my control to ensure my ‘unwelcome guest’ doesn’t gatecrash my life again.
All of the others in the Survivors Circle had the same sense of resolve and the same determination not to allow the disease to take over their lives but to instead enjoy all that ‘living’ has to offer. One good thing about surviving cancer (and there are many more good things) is that you have the opportunity to appreciate the people and experiences in life that really do matter and I am truly thankful for my experience with breast cancer for that. I feel privileged to have met so many wonderful people during my fundraising including Eve Smith, Vice Chair of Breakthrough Breast Cancer who came to my home to help judge my ‘Colour Me Happy’ art competition that I launched with local primary schools.
I felt so very glad to be around to be part of this magnificent weekend and quietly reflected on those who had not been as fortunate as me and those who have been taken by this disease. I used the whole weekend to celebrate life in meeting and sharing experiences with such amazing people. I also had 2 friends come to cheer me on at St. Paul’s who ended up walking the next 10 miles with me (one of whom donated another £500 en route). When Bronte ran up to me at the end of the closing ceremony with her eyes flooding with tears crying “Mummy Mummy I so desperately love you. Thank you for not dying” – all I could do was hold her in my arms, thankful for a second chance to see my children grow with the hope and optimism that we get closer to a breakthrough every day.
Through my Weekend experience and in support of the critical work of Breakthrough, I have made myself a personal pledge that each year I will take part in at least one big event to raise funds and awareness for ‘our’ charity. I’m also hoping to carry on advocacy work in secondary schools to raise awareness of breast cancer in education. For 2007 I’ve decided to enter for the Flora London Marathon – what was I thinking?
I am hoping to run for Breakthrough and have set up a web page www.justgiving.com/anngould in order to raise the £2000 minimum required. So, as Christmas approaches and you are wondering what to put on your Christmas List why not either donate to Breakthrough yourself or have someone donate the equivalent of a Christmas present to Breakthrough? What better present to ourselves, our daughters and future generations than the gift of life free from the fear of breast cancer?
Because of one dreadful disease and one magical weekend I met such inspirational people all of whom had one goal in mind – to eradicate breast cancer. And I believe that together with Breakthrough Breast Cancer we will do it (hurry up though guys)!
Thank you for my life.
With love, Ann.
