A teaching assistant from Kirkham was diagnosed with breast cancer after her doctor thought a lump she had found was a cyst.
However, the disease had already spread to her lymph nodes. Donna, who works at St Michael’s C of E Primary, underwent five months of chemotherapy and thanks to being physically fit, was able to get through the treatment relatively easily. Donna hadn’t realised there was a history of breast cancer in the family as nobody had ever discussed it. But once she started to chat to relatives, she discovered an aunt and cousin on her dad’s side of the family had both died of the disease.
Donna said: “I’m proud to Race for Life. Cancer was a tough thing to go through and it was initially scary when the lump on my breast was growing so quickly, but other than 10 days during chemo when I felt awful, I promised myself I wouldn’t allow myself to feel ill and would crack on with the treatment.
“I’m excited to Race for Life and play my part to fund research today which I hope will also help beat cancer for future generations.”