Now Lisa’s using bakes to raise awareness and fundraise.
Having just entered my early 50s and now an empty nester, things have changed a lot for me and my husband Simon.
We’ve been married for 17 years this year, both second time round and we feel very lucky to have found each other. Between us, we have 4 boys and 2 lovely grandkids. My family and friends are so important to me.
I found a lump purely by chance
Sitting in bed, I had a cuppa with a cheeky biscuit and the crumbs fell between my boobs. That's how I found the lump – funny story I know, but true.
The lump was between my boobs, and it felt like a bone at first. A couple of weeks later I got onto the GP as it was bugging me, and there was my entry into the world of cancer.
In May I went for my lumpectomy. It was found that I had caught the cancer early, a grade 2 ER/ PR positive cancer HER2 negative.
I think anyone who has a cancer diagnosis is in a state of shock
You think “am I going to die?”. Then you think of your family, it’s overwhelming and scary. But I had so many family members and friends around me offering support. And I also got to meet other people affected by breast cancer, which was invaluable for me.
I had 15 rounds of radiotherapy, and I’m now still on tamoxifen, which at times is a pain with all sorts of side effects.... let’s not talk about the hot flushes! It feels like I’m on fire most of the time.
It was really helpful reading Breast Cancer Now’s information
Especially about tamoxifen. It told me lots of things I didn’t know, and it helped me realise I wasn’t going crackers, and that what I was feeling was a normal side effect.
How lucky was I to eat a biscuit in bed and find the cancer early?
Early diagnosis has saved me from having more invasive treatment, and possibly saved my life.
Having cancer has also given me a new zest for life and I’m now saying yes to things I perhaps would have said no to. For example, zip lining in New Zealand! I’ve also started supporting different Breast Cancer Now petitions.
I decided to hold an Afternoon Tea at work
I work in the hospitality industry for a ceramic manufacturer, so Afternoon Tea felt like a perfect fit. It was an opportunity to fundraise, raise awareness and have fun – eating cake was an extra bonus!
My colleagues were a huge help, 3 of us planned the tea and we all had jobs to do.
We linked the event to a business open day, and everyone was so generous.
I’ve worked at the company for over a decade, so my customers knew about my cancer diagnosis and have been super supportive. Not only while I wasn’t working, but also at this event – being generous with their time and money.
The tea itself was amazing!
We had a lot of cake and bakes, we played guess the sweets in the jar and had a raffle. Pin the cherry to the Bakewell got very competitive, which was hilariously funny.
During the tea, I also had many conversations about my story. I wanted to raise awareness that you need to check yourself. Cancer can happen to anyone.
If you’re thinking of taking part, do it!
My top tip is help get some great friends around you to help pull it off and have fun.
It’s a brilliant day, for a brilliant cause and it brings people together.
Drinking tea and coffee, having some cake and having fun is what life is all about. You do all the important things like raise money and awareness, all whilst having fun.
Knowing you’re helping to fund world-class research and life-changing care is amazing
It makes you feel so good, knowing that the money you raise will make a difference to the future of breast cancer.
Inspired to get involved?
Whether it’s a cuppa in the garden or a picnic in the park, hold an Afternoon Tea this August and raise vital funds for people affected by breast cancer. Sign up today.