Mother and Daughter Breast of Friends: Rachael Holmes tells of hereditary breast cancer battle in £60k fundraiser
LISTEN: It is one of a new series of Mother and Daughter Breast of Friends podcasts, sponsored by Graysons Solicitors, which can be heard now at motherdaughterbreastfriends.co.uk.
DONATE: Help Rachael by making a donation to her £60,000 appeal – find out more and give now at www.gofundme.com.
Rachael, aged 51, from Clowne, in Derbyshire, features in the podcast episode called Brightening Your Journey, which underscores the importance of awareness and support in dealing with hereditary breast cancer.
She was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of triple-negative breast cancer in December 2021 and underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
The cancer returned and she has a non-curable diagnosis, but there are treatments to manage and improve her condition. A drug called Olaparib1 can be obtained privately, but is priced at approximately £5,000 per month, but opening a wider window for new medical advancements to emerge that could help defeat the cancer permanently.
A £60,000 www.gofundme.com appeal was launched to cover a year of treatment and more than £11,000 has been raised.
Without generous support and crucial funds, this life-extending treatment for Rachael simply isn't feasible, say fundraisers, who are urging the wider public to join their mission to prolong Rachael's life with her family.
The Mother and Daughter, Breast of Friends podcast series was launched to be a beacon of awareness and support for hereditary breast cancer.
Recorded at Fischers Hotel and Restaurant in Baslow, which is giving away a luxury overnight stay and dinner for two through the Mother and Daughter Instagram page @mumandaughterbreastfriends, the episode featuring Rachael not only delves into the critical importance of genetic testing and family history but also showcases the community's support.
Podcast host Becky, a popular BBC regional radio presenter, said: "Our latest episodes, especially Brightening Your Journey, featuring Rachael, underscore the importance of awareness and support in dealing with hereditary breast cancer.
"We're thankful to Graysons Solicitors for their support and to Fischers Hotel and Restaurant for their kind gesture towards Rachael and her husband."
Other new podcast episodes cover vital topics in the realm of hereditary breast cancer, including Boob Check, which emphasises the importance of regular breast examinations, while 'Unthinkable explores the emotional journey of a breast cancer diagnosis and Clinical Negligence discusses legal aspects and patient rights in medical care.
Wendy, a leading figure in hereditary breast cancer awareness, added, "It's through these stories and community support that we can make a real difference. Rachael’s story is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by many and the importance of compassion in our journey."
The podcast episodes are the latest public information drive by the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline which is addressing the challenge head-on.
NHBC Helpline was founded more than 25-years-ago by Wendy, when she pioneered preventative surgery for hereditary breast cancer – she became one of the first people in the country to have both breasts removed as a measure to avoid breast cancer, following the deaths of her grandmother and mother from the disease.
Becky underwent the same procedure in 2004 after finding out she had an 80 to 90 percent risk of developing breast cancer.
Hair products company Watermans UK is overall sponsor of the of the podcasts which are also supported by law firm Graysons Solicitors, based in Sheffield and Chesterfield, which is committed to supporting community initiatives and health education.
The Helpline has taken more than 100,000 calls and changed the lives of 100,000’s of people – call 01629 813000, visit www.breastcancergenetics.co.uk, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NHBCH and X: @nhbch.
Powered by the support of Aware® Breast self-examination aid, a leading advocate for breast health awareness, the podcast aims to be a beacon of positivity, encouraging self-examinations and proactive health choices.
Look out for updates at www.motherdaughterbreastfriends.co.uk and search on social media for the hashtag #MotherDaughterBreastOfFriends.
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LINKS:
Mother Daughter, Breast of Friends website: motherdaughterbreastfriends.co.uk
National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline website: www.breastcancergenetics.co.uk.
Helpline: 01629 813000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NHBCH
Twitter: @nhbch