Cancer patient signs up to charity walk

Debbie Haley, from Lowedges in Sheffield, said it was the “biggest shock of her life” when a check-up in February this year revealed she had breast cancer and required surgery.

The 46-year-old said: “It all happened very unexpectedly.

“I was diagnosed at the start of the month and by the end of the month I had undergone a lumpectomy to remove the tumour and some of the tissue that surrounds it.”

The mother-of-one then began three weeks of radiotherapy at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield and is now aiming to raise funds for the hospital by signing up to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity’s Light the Night walk.

The torch-lit event takes place in Sheffield’s Ecclesall Woods from 7pm onwards on Saturday, September 15.

The 4.5km route is aimed at both adults and children.

Ms Haley, who has been able to return full-time to her role as a teaching assistant at Lowedges Primary School, said: “My treatment now includes having monthly injections for two years and tablets for five years. I am also hoping to have reconstructive surgery in the near future.

“My breast care nurse advised me to try and get out walking as part of my recovery and so I have been going on long walks with my friend around Graves Park and Ecclesall Woods.

“When I heard about Light the Night I thought it was a perfect chance to raise money for the hospital, which is a fantastic place with great staff, and benefit other people in the future.”

Rachel Thorpe, director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “Light the Night is our new fund-raising event and I’d encourage walkers of all ages and abilities to come along. It’s about bringing people together for a different experience.

“We’re encouraging walkers to get creative with glow-in-the-dark outfits and accessories, and we will be giving out free torches on the night, so we can light the night together.

“It will be an amazing event in a spectacular setting, so do come and join us.”

The cancer charity supports Weston Park Hospital, which is one of just four specialist cancer hospitals in England and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire.

Light The Night will help the charity towards its goal of rising £1.6m this year to support cancer research, as well as helping to improve care at the hospital.

Participants are asked to raise sponsorship for the event, which replaces the charity’s former walking fund-raising event, Walk as One.

To sign up to Light the Night visit www.wphcancercharity.org.uk/light or ring 0114 226 5370.