Deborah’s 2018 didn’t get off to a good start. After finding a lump on her breast in January, Deborah was diagnosed with cancer a month later and has spent most of the year in and out of hospital, battling the devastating disease that affects one in eight women. Now thankfully on the mend and on track to a full recovery, Deborah is taking part in Women V Cancer Ride the Night to give back to a cause that has been an invaluable support to her throughout her journey. Here, Deborah shares her story.
I’m taking part in Women V Cancer Ride the Night London because I have had a year I never expected. In brief, I found a lump on my left breast in January and the doctor confirmed it was cancer in February. I then had my mastectomy in April, followed by six sessions of chemo (last one this Thursday). I’ll then have three weeks of radiotherapy and will need hormone treatment for the next ten years.
Although this sounds awful, I really consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. It’s gone and they’re just making sure and apparently there is no reason to believe it will ever come back.
Thanks to the huge amount of money that charities have raised and the research that’s been done, I and many others have been treated successfully.
I have also benefitted enormously from the advice booklets and websites that charities write to help me with the many questions that I have had this year. At every step of my journey, they have been a source of information and comfort, making me feel that I’m not alone and that what I’m going through is very normal.
I was fit before this inconvenience, running several half marathons, a couple of marathons, taking part in numerous cycling events and triathlons, and can’t wait to be fit again. When my friend suggested the bike ride, it sounded like a great idea. It’s an incentive to get back in the saddle and will give me a focus for next year and something to look forward to. I think the evening will be fun but emotional and I can’t wait!
Deborah Carter, Women V Cancer Ride the Night 2019 participant,undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Join Women V Cancer Ride the NightWhat is Women V Cancer Ride the Night?
Over the last five years, thousands of women have cycled 100km through London at night and raised over £6 million for Women V Cancer, which brings together the three very important charities, Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Through the combined work of these three charities, Women V Cancer is committed to supporting the thousands of people across the UK who are sadly affected by women’s cancers and researching into developing effective treatments and cures for ovarian, breast and cervical cancers.
In summer 2019, Ride the Night is back for its sixth year, not just in London but in Edinburgh as well! With a second city in 2019, we hope to get even more people involved so we can make an even bigger impact in a cause that grows ever more critical.
Find out more and sign up to Women V Cancer Ride the Night London and/or Edinburgh on the challenge web pages.
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