Hope for the future

Breast cancer survivor Emily Stanton, mum to Liam (13) and Rhys (9)

 “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2015. Then I found out I was HER-2 positive, a generally more aggressive type of breast cancer which put me in a higher risk category.

Emily at her recent PhD graduation with her sons Liam and Rhys and husband Hedley.

Thankfully the cancer was caught early and hadn’t spread. I had a lumpectomy followed by five months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy. I’m still taking Tamoxifen.

It’s so exciting to know how much researchers are learning about breast cancer.  I’m particularly interested in the research that Cancer Focus NI is funding at Queen’s which looks at how cancer develops in your second breast.

While my prognosis is good, I’m a realist and I know that a recurrence is a possibility. It’s a very frightening thought and one which makes this research close to my heart.

I’d like to encourage everyone to support this vitally important Cheers to 50 Years Campaign. You can do this on your birthday by asking friends and family to make a donation to this brilliant cause instead of giving you a gift.  It could be a life-saver for me and for other women like me.”

Cancer Focus NI wishes everyone could celebrate another birthday. So this year, on your birthday, give the gift of research and help us give hope to future generations.”