Barbara, 67, from Whittlesford, has raised £2,068 for the Addenbrooke’s Breast Cancer Appeal by taking on the challenge of cycling 550 miles across rural France from Calais to the Alps.
The11 day journey in September saw Barbara and her husband, Colin, battle the elements to help make a difference for patients being treated for breast cancer at Addenbrooke’s.
Prior to her own breast cancer diagnosis Barbara, a member of the former Friends of Addenbrooke’s volunteer fundraising committee, held two ‘Pink Rose Dinners’ to raise money for the Cambridge Breast Unit. Then, in 2005, a routine mammogram found pre-cancerous cells, which Barbara had removed through surgery.
However, in 2006, a follow-up mammogram identified an unusual mass. Following a lumpectomy, it was found that Barbara had aggressive breast cancer. She was treated with further surgery to remove it and had over 20 sessions of radiotherapy in five weeks.
A keen golfer at Gog Magog Golf Club, Barbara found that the surgery affected her play. However, this didn’t deter her from becoming Lady Captain in 2007, during which time she raised over £4,000 for the Cambridge Breast Unit by hosting a pink-themed golf dinner for 110 people.
Barbara and Colin, also an Addenbrooke’s fundraiser, planned to undertake their fundraising cycle challenge in 2009. However, a series of events including Barbara breaking her femur while skiing and her elbow during a fall, delayed the challenge until this year. So, it was against the odds that Barbara completed her training and commenced the ride the day after getting the go ahead from her doctor.
Barbara said: “I greatly enjoyed it; I’m not a cyclist so it’s a huge achievement. I’m so glad I’ve done it. It’s very important to me to raise money to benefit other patients with breast cancer. Maybe someday researchers will get through that vital barrier and be able to identify cancer much sooner to help more people live with it. I encourage anyone to support the Addenbrooke’s Breast Cancer Appeal. It’s well worth it.”
Michelle Gray, head of community fundraising at Addenbrooke’s said: “We are so grateful to Barbara for her ongoing fundraising efforts for breast cancer care, treatment and research. Her achievement is fantastic.”
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To find out more about Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust call 01223 217757, email act@addenbrookes.nhs.uk or go to www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk
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