‘Pink Ladies gave me much more than financial support’
ONE of the youngest Guernsey women to ever be affected by cancer will be joining the hundreds of people taking part in this year’s Pink Ladies Sunset Walk.
Rosie Freeman was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of last year, when she was only 23.
In the last six months she has been through both surgery and chemotherapy and is still undergoing treatment.
The charity paid for her to have eyebrow tattoos and a wig after she lost her hair due to the chemotherapy, but she said that the Pink Ladies provided much more than financial support.
‘It was quite hard to see beyond that first cancer diagnosis,’ she said.
‘So sharing with people who have a similar story and are now doing well is really important.’
The risks of developing breast cancer increase with age, and only 5% of all cases occur in the under 30s. It is most frequently diagnosed in women ages 65 to 74.
Miss Freeman said that when she first discovered a lump last summer, she ignored it.
‘It wasn’t till it began to hurt some months later, which isn’t a common symptom, that I went to the doctors and they referred me to the breast unit.’
An average of 80 people a year in Guernsey are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Pink Ladies chairwoman Sharon Treacy, who is also a breast nurse consultant, said that Miss Freeman was the youngest breast cancer she had come across in over 10 years working at the unit, but it showed how important it was for women of all ages to be breast-aware.
‘Pink Ladies are there to support women in Guernsey when they were going through a difficult time with breast cancer, both before and after treatment,’ she said.
‘We are there to bring the community together, raise awareness and help raise funds to help.’
The Pink Ladies have raised more than £500,000 since launching 22 years ago, and this is Ms Treacy’s first Sunset Walk since she became chairwoman. The walk takes place on Saturday 24 June and walkers can register for the 10.5-mile walk or for a shorter 3.5 mile route.
‘We need as many people to come and take part as possible, and that includes men. I want to thank all the previous committee for their help in organising this year’s walk.’
Joining Miss Freeman to start the event will be the charity’s former treasurer Doreen Le Poidevin.
The 10.5-mile route starts from Grandes Rocques at 6pm. The 3.5-mile route starts from Bordeaux at 7.30pm. The finishing line in St Peter Port marks the beginning of the traditional ‘pink afterparty’ in Market Square with food and a bar and live music by UK tribute band ABBA Sensation.
Information on how to check for signs of breast cancer can be found at www.bit.ly/3X5pkaa
Registration is £10 plus booking fees via Eventbrite at www.bit.ly/3M0H8zn. Forms are available in local stores.
The Pink Ladies can be contacted via Facebook or email at hello@pinkladies.gg.
