Hi, I’m Sam and just over 5 years ago, my Mum Kim was diagnosed with an unknown primary cancer that most probably started in her lungs. Her treatment has been long and at times intense and yet she continues to fight the fight in every way possible with both myself and my sister Carly there to help her every step of the way – that is until 2021 when aged just 39 I too received the devastating news that I had breast cancer. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I was used to supporting my Mum through her treatment, not the one who needed her to support me.

I was diagnosed with grade 2 ductal carcinoma which required 3 surgeries, with the final one being a mastectomy with an implant.

I would be lying if I didn’t say it hasn’t been difficult, I have had good days and bad days, but I do consider myself very lucky as in the grand scheme of breast cancer treatment I feel that I have been one of the lucky ones especially when I see everything my Mum has gone through.

I have a wonderful & supportive partner and family who all helped and cared for me throughout my treatment and moving forward afterwards, I can’t thank my partner Rosita, parents Kim and Dave, my sister Carly and brother-in-law Chris enough for everything they have done for me, as well as my beautiful niece and nephew Matthew 6 and Paisley 5.

It’s not until you go through something like breast cancer that you realise how truly important having people around you is.

I would also like to thank all the staff at the Primrose centre for all the fantastic treatment and care I received, I think they are an amazing team of people and so I wanted to thank them for what they did for me, therefore, I am organising a walk from Princetown to Plymouth (18 miles) on Saturday 21st May in aid of The Primrose Foundation called ‘The Princetown to Plymouth Primrose plod’ to say thank you to The Primrose breast care centre and all the staff.

I would love to encourage as many people as possible to take part, whether that’s in the whole walk or the 6-mile option which will start from the Skylark in Clearbrook where we will end the walk at Coypool, Plymouth.

Once we have all freshened up, we will finish the fundraising fun off in the evening with a big party at Plymouth Parkway FC, Bolitho Park, St Peters Road, Manadon, from 7pm.

Whether you have received treatment yourself or know someone that has it would be wonderful to all come together and support this amazing charity that supports our local breast services.

Currently, they are fundraising for three essential staff posts in the Primrose centre, a Clinical Psychologist, a reconstruction Nurse Specialist, and an Oncology support Nurse therefore it feels great to know that all the monies raised in this event will go into funding essential roles like this so that future patients can receive the same level of care that I have.

To join in the fun or to find out more information please visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Princetown-to-Plymouth-Primrose-Plod-108103951811164

Or if you would like to donate, no matter how big or small please visit my Go Fund Me page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/princetown-to-plymouth-primrose-plod

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Sam

Primrose Patient Sam Shares Her Story & Epic Fundraising Idea