A DETERMINED Coventry woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer after losing her mum to the disease is putting her best foot forward for charity.
Marie Rushworth, 54, was diagnosed last year after she discovered a lump.
She and her wife Charly Rees have signed up for the 10-mile Pink Ribbon Walk in June to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now’s research and support.
Marie found walking played a crucial role in helping her cope with her diagnosis – which holds extra significance, having lost her mum to the same disease.
Marie said: “My mum had breast cancer, and unfortunately, she passed away when she was 42, so I’d always felt that this ‘thing’ might come and get me.
“I found quite a substantial lump. I remember feeling a sense of calmness and thinking ‘oh god, it’s here’. I knew straight away what it was.
“I had surgery, and they removed a 5cm tumour and another very small tumour. It had also spread to one of my lymph nodes, which meant I had to have further tests and scans. Thankfully everything came back clear, and it was decided I was going to have chemotherapy.”
Throughout her treatment, Marie used Breast Cancer Now’s Someone Like Me service, which matches people with a trained volunteer who has had a similar experience.
She said: “When you speak to someone who’s been through it, you realise people do get through this. What happened to my mum doesn’t happen to everyone, people do survive. It makes you feel like you’re not alone.
“My wife works in the NHS, so it has been hard for her. It’s also been hard for my dad. He’s 85 and he’s lost his wife to breast cancer and now his daughter has got it too. He’s of the generation that aren’t very good with their emotions, so it’s been tough for him.”
Marie and Charly will take part in a Pink Ribbon Walk at Chatsworth House near Chesterfield on June 21, one of four events marking the 20th anniversary of Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraising event.
Marie said: “Throughout my whole journey, my mantra has been if I can just take one step forward, I can do anything. At the deepest, darkest times of chemotherapy, I kept putting one foot in front of the other.
“The day after my diagnosis, I was in bits and didn’t know what to do with myself, so I decided to take the dog on a seven-mile walk. I came back and I just felt normal again. I thought: you’re still able to walk, you’re still able to listen to the birds. I’m still here and I’m still doing what I want to do.
“There are multiple reasons for wanting to do the Pink Ribbon Walk, but I’m really looking forward to that feeling of togetherness. I think it’s going to be very empowering. For me, there’s going to be that sense of achievement. I’ve done triathlons and all sorts of things, but I think this will be much bigger than that.”
Visit https://breastcancernow.org/prw for more information, or to take part in a Pink Ribbon Walk.
