Karen Jones from West Kirby joined Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology as a member of staff three years ago, but when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, it came as a real shock.
Suddenly, she went from being one of ‘the team’ at Clatterbridge to being a patient. Now, after what’s been a tough journey, Karen is urging others to give their support to the charity that helped make her experience so much easier, ‘Clatterbridge your cancer centre’.
Karen says: "Although it was in my family, I didn't think it would affect me.
"My sister passed away in May 2007 and following that, my eldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. So, when I found puckering under my right breast I was frankly denying that I might be affected too.
"Luckily, I know how vital it is to find out as early as possible so I went to my GP, it saved my life."
Karen knows how dedicated the team at Clatterbridge are and that the excellent treatment they provide saves so many lives, but it was still a very tough experience.
For two sisters to be diagnosed within months of each other meant it was hard for her whole family.
Karen added: “I feel so lucky that my experience has been so positive, a lot of that is down to the extra support I received.
"Clatterbridge patients don’t just receive treatment, there’s so much more to it than that, and a lot of these services are funded by the charity ‘Clatterbridge your cancer centre’, the only charity directly raising funds to benefit the centre’s patients and their families.
"It’s been a confidence sapping time, but the support from Clatterbridge has really helped me to stay positive, and remember that life is for living and loving, I’d like others to have this gift too.”
The life-changing projects funded at the centre this year would not have been possible without the support of the public. As the financial year-end draws nearer, the charity is close to reaching the landmark fundraising target of £1million.
Karen is now urging others to make a donation and give that last push to help reach the record-breaking amount.
She added: “Everyone going through such a tough time in their life deserves everything we can do to make it easier on them and their families.
"I’m on the road to recovery now and I’m doing all I can to try and help future cancer patients who find themselves in my position.
"Please make a donation, however big or small – it all counts - to help us make a difference to more people with cancer, and help us continue to provide outstanding cancer care to people in our area.”
To make a secure donation and help ‘Clatterbridge your cancer centre’ reach £1million, please visit www.yourclatterbridge.org.uk or call 0151 482 7948.
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