New breast cancer campaign (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New breast cancer campaign

A BREAST cancer survivor from Malmesbury has helped launch a charity walk to support Cancer Research UK's new campaign 'All Women Together'.

Eunice Raymont, along with North Wiltshire breast cancer nurses Jean Scolding and Jenny Matthews, is encouraging people to get involved in the Westonbirt Walk Together which is taking place on Sunday, October 9.

The event will help raise vital funds for the charity's research into breast cancer.

Eunice discovered she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram when in July 2000.

She was called back to see her doctor after they noticed a lump during the routine screening, her doctor referred her to a consultant and within weeks she underwent a lumpectomy.

Eunice said: "When I first got the news I didn't really think about it very much. I am a firm believer in fate, what will be, will be."

"Breast cancer affects so many women every year and joining the Westonbirt Walk Together is a great way to support Cancer Research UK's work to find new ways of treating, curing and preventing the disease, whilst having a fun family day out."

The All Women Together campaign aims to raise awareness of breast cancer and the progress that has been made in tackling the disease, which affects 41,000 women each year.

It also highlights the ways local people can make a real difference to women diagnosed with breast cancer, by raising money to fund research.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the UK and one in nine will develop the disease at some point in their lives.

The good news is that thanks to research, better treatments and earlier detection, the death rate has fallen by a fifth over the past decade.

Natasha Russell, Cancer Research UK community fundraiser said: "We are encouraging everyone from across the region to come and join Eunice and do their bit to help during breast cancer awareness month - every little bit really does make a difference."

The Westonbirt Walk Together takes place on Sunday, October 9 at Westonbirt Arboretum.

To take part in Westonbirt Walk Together or to hold your own fundraising event, register online at www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer or call your local fundraising office on 08701 602040.