Carolynn shares how staying active helped with recovery and inspired her to take part in the Walk 100 Miles in May challenge.
Could you tell us about your experience of breast cancer?
I was diagnosed with IDC grade 2, stage 1 in January 2025 at the age of 46. I had a single in March with immediate . And I was fortunate enough not to need any or .
I'm an operational firefighter and worked right up until the day before my operation. Getting back on my feet quickly was really important to me. Keeping a basic level of fitness during recovery helped me feel more like myself and meant I could return to work as soon as I was able.
Tell us about your fundraising journey
The Walk 100 Miles in May challenge was a perfect way for me to rebuild my fitness. The timing was perfect as I used the challenge to ‘announce’ to my wider friends and family on Facebook that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
I posted a link to my fundraising page on Facebook with a short update about what I’d been through, and the response was incredible. I raised several hundred pounds in the first few days.
In total, I raised £1,130 which I’m very proud of. Breast Cancer Now is hands down the most valuable source of information and help available for those of us affected by breast cancer.
What support did you receive?
From the booklets I was given at the hospital, to the fabulous podcast with Laura Price, everything Breast Cancer Now offers gave us hope for the future.
I also want to give a shout out to the wonderful Facebook admins who guided us all through the Walk 100 Miles in May challenge via the Facebook page. They were so helpful, encouraging and had the patience of saints. What a team!
How are you doing now?
I’m now 12 months post- and reconstruction and I've returned to full operational firefighting duties. It was a huge challenge, but I managed to regain my strength and fitness after almost 6 months off work.