Not only has she been affected by breast cancer but tragically her best friend Wendy Jankowski died only 6 weeks ago of the same disease.
“I am determined to raise as much money as possible for Weston Park Hospital and for the research they do into this dreadful disease,” says Kathleen. She has gathered a team of 15 to do the hospital’s Think Pink Sponsored Walk with her. They include not only her own family, but Wendy's daughter and her best friend as well. They will all be walking with Wendy’s photo on their t-shirts.
“I did the walk last year whilst still in the middle of my treatment,” says Kathleen. “It was hard for me but I did it. This year I am through the worst of the treatment and am just on medication which I need to take for the next five years now. I am feeling so much better but I am devastated by Wendy’s death and that’s an added reason to make it count. We all need to do what we can to make the difference”.
Kathleen is pictured (4th from the right) with just some her team of walkers outside the Hammer and Pincers pub at Ringinglow in Sheffield ( the pub are contributing money raised through weekly pub quizzes and other events to Kathleen's funds). In the picture are (L to R) Lauren Troughton (Kath's daughter) Chantelle Simpkins, Suzy Allen, Vanda Jankowski (Wendy's daughter), Conor Smith (landlord) Kathleen, Lisa Berry, Zoe Hardy and Jeanette Addis. Jeanette's mother-in-law is also a patient at Weston Park Hospital at the moment.
The Think Pink Sponsored Walk on 7th October is at the beginning of Weston Park Hospital’s Think Pink Campaign to raise funds and awareness for women’s cancers which takes place throughout the month of October.
As one of only 3 dedicated cancer hospitals in the UK and a world leader in cancer research it operates as a major lynch pin in the national cancer programme.
116,000 women a year are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year. 31% of those are diagnosed with breast cancer – that’s 100 women a day.
This year for the first time Weston Park’s Think Pink month is raising money for all women with cancer and supporting the hospital and the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Research Centre with its world leading research.
After breast cancer, bowel, lung and gynaecological cancers (cervical, ovarian and endometrial) are the most prolific affecting women.
Previous years Think Pink Sponsored Walks have attracted over 600 walkers and raised in excess of £40,000 for the work that Weston Park Hospital does in the research, treatment and care of women with cancer.
To find out more about the Think Pink Sponsored Walk and how to register click on THINK PINK WALK .
