I want to show people with a diagnosis they can still live life to the full

How did you first come across Breast Cancer Now?

I had my primary breast cancer diagnosis in January 2015. After I completed my treatment, I attended a Moving Forward Course at Stobhill Hospital.

I gained so much from it. The sessions were very informative, and all of us on the course learned a great deal about ourselves and others going through similar experiences.

We quickly realised that we weren’t alone and that the feelings we were having were shared by others in the room. I found that incredibly powerful.

What made you want to start volunteering?

Attending the course had helped me so much that I wanted to give something back.

My first-hand experience meant I could empathise with how a lot of ladies were feeling: I could understand the fear of going through a diagnosis, the fear of recurrence. They could look at me, see how far I’d come and know that there’s life after a diagnosis.

I decided to volunteer with Breast Cancer Care, as it was then. I felt as a retired Teacher, I could give talks about my story and the charity. I found when I gave my talks that it helped me too. It still does.

I later decided I wanted to do more, so I volunteered for Moving Forward and I now give public health talks too.

I’m very passionate about volunteering. I enjoy meeting people and letting them see that although my diagnosis changed me and was difficult to come to terms with, I did it.

Volunteering helped me in that process. I love helping others get to where I am and giving groups of women vital information about life after treatment.

What impact do you think your volunteering has on you and others?

When I’m volunteering, I’m always amazed at people’s resilience. Everybody is different and has a different story to tell. I’m humbled to hear their stories, and the fact that they feel able to share those stories with me is amazing.

I’m learning all the time. I’m not the same person I was when I was first diagnosed, both in appearance and within myself. I hope that the other volunteers can look at me and see the adjustments I’ve made and the person I’ve become.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?

I enjoy volunteering because I get to meet so many different people. Some have become lifelong friends, others may just have passed through my life, but either way the feeling of making a difference to someone’s attitude and how they live with a diagnosis is very rewarding.

I hope they see that it can be done. You can move on for a diagnosis, and you can live your life to the full. And I do!

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

I would say that anyone thinking about volunteering should definitely do it.

I have met so many interesting and lovely people, making friends along the way. You get so much out of it, and you all learn from one another. I’m really enjoying the roles I have and I feel appreciated for what I do.

It also allows me to give back a bit of the support that I’ve received to people who might not have much support otherwise. It’s so important to get the message out there that you don’t have to go through it all alone.

So please, if you’re thinking about volunteering, do it!