Join our Christmas Star Appeal - help people like Jodie to access vital support services.

This Christmas join Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Christmas Star Appeal and give a gift which could change someone’s life. Your donation could help support someone like Jodie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29.

Jodie found a lump in her breast when she was 28, but it took over a year for her to be diagnosed with cancer.

Jodie says:

"People often think that breast cancer doesn’t affect young people but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now, I always say: ‘know your normal’. It’s so important to listen to your body when it’s telling you that something isn’t right.

Since her diagnosis, Jodie has been through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She also had a double mastectomy to limit the chance of future complications.

"Cancer impacts everything – how you look, how you feel. For me, the operation was a way of taking back control."

"Throughout my treatment, I’ve been supported by Weston Park Cancer Charity. I don’t think I have the words to describe just how amazing they’ve been.

"I’ve accessed several of their complementary therapies, including reiki, talking therapy, and acupuncture. I’ve found the acupuncture particularly useful: it’s alleviated some of the menopausal side effects, like hot flushes, that can come with cancer treatment."

"I also took park in Weston Park’s six-week art therapy course, where I met a group of incredible women. During the course, we shared our stories and experienced every emotion possible. There were lots of hugs, and some tears. Now, we refer to ourselves as the Cancer Queens. We still meet up regularly and I’m so grateful to have them as friends."

Jodie recently found out that she can finish chemotherapy four months earlier than expected – which means she’ll be ringing the bell to mark the end of her active treatment just before Christmas.

"When the nurse told me over the phone, I burst into tears. It felt like I could finally get back to being me again."

"Normally I spend Christmas at my Aunty’s house with my cousins. When we get together, we’re like little kids and we’ll often wake up at 4am on Christmas morning! But last year I was going through chemo, so I was feeling pretty groggy and had to stay at home. I couldn’t even enjoy my Christmas dinner because my treatment made everything taste like wet compost! This year, I’m looking forward to spending time with family and having a mulled wine at the Christmas markets."

"My cancer journey has taught me to enjoy the now. We spend so much time focusing on what our lives will look like in a week, or a month, or a year. But that time isn’t guaranteed. No matter how much you plan, you can’t control what’s ahead. All we can do is go with the flow and appreciate today."

For one in two of us, cancer will change everything. Please consider donating to Weston Park’s Christmas Star Appeal today. Your generosity will help people like Jodie to access vital support services.