Asda's Tickled Pink Campaign reaches £40 million milestone!

HeadStrong volunteer Tracey Williams from Cardiff (pictured) tells us about the incredible impact of Tickled Pink's fundraising.

'When I heard Tickled Pink has now hit the £40million mark I was astounded what a fantastic achievement!

'The impact this funding has had on Breast Cancer Care is truly incredible. When doctors told me I needed chemo I felt so distressed about losing my hair. But thanks to the amazing dedication and fundraising efforts of Asda colleagues and customers I am now able to help other women in need as a HeadStrong volunteer.

'Thanks to Asda’s support Breast Cancer Care has been able grow HeadStrong by 50% in the last year meaning we can help hundreds more women with hair loss when they need us most.

'I was diagnosed when I was just 49. The thought of losing my hair overrode the thought of being ill. I worried about it all the time.

'I cut my hair short in preparation so my family and I could get used to my having less hair. My hairdresser was on standby to shave it all off when the time came.

'When it did start falling out it was a horrible feeling. It was like losing my identity. It was the first visible sign of how unwell I was.

'I bought a wig at my daughter’s request; she didn’t want to go out with me looking like a victim. You see it’s not just you who suffers your family have fears too and you want to protect them.

'Unfortunately I was too unwell and didn’t get to attend one of the HeadStrong sessions hosted by Breast Cancer Care.

'But thanks to the incredible support from Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign I have been able to train as a HeadStrong volunteer and use my experiences to help others.

'When women come into their session they are tearful and frightened but they leave laughing joking and smiling. They have a renewed confidence. The sessions give practical tips on how to tie headscarves and look after the scalp but they also give patients the opportunity to talk about any issues. It’s a wonderful wonderful service and I’m thrilled to be involved.

'Thank you to everyone who fundraised or donated. Forty million is an absolutely incredible milestone and has made such a difference to hundreds of thousands of families affected by breast cancer across the UK.'