Help for Beth & Charlotte battling breast cancer
Donation protected
PLEASE HELP US FUNDRAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE for 2 local Risca mothers who have devastatingly both been diagnosed with breast cancer and are currently undergoing treatment.
Beth Disley and Charlotte Adams are both power houses of women & it’s only right that we all club together to support them during this difficult time. Beth and Charlotte are both amazing local girls & when we heard about their diagnoses we knew we had to do something to help.
Both ladies are self employed beauticians & have had to give up / massively cut down their hours. They’re both mothers to young children and need all the support the community can offer. The money raised will help them both out with everyday life as they try to navigate treatment and raising their families. They’ve both asked that we make a donation from the final total of the money raised towards a charity of their choice. Beth has chosen Velindre Cancer Centre & Charlotte - Coppafeel.
On Saturday 10th August we’re holding a fundraising event as a final push for this page. Evening of Saturday 10th August at the Prince of Wales. There will be an auction, food & live music with amazing prizes to be won. This GoFundMe page will close on Sunday 11th August when all of the funds raised will be split between Beth, Charlotte & their 2 chosen charities - Velindre & Coppafeel.
Please have a read of their stories below & donate as much as you can for these amazing ladies. Thanks so much in advance!!
Charlotte’s story:
It just so happened one day I was watching an influencer on Instagram showing how to check your boobs during Breast Cancer awareness month in October, that I then checked mine. I felt a biggish kind of gristly feeling lump just above my nipple but I do have quite lumpy boobs anyway so didn’t think much of it. I kept an eye on it and within a week it didn't go. My lump was quite prominent and big and slightly tender but didn't hurt much at all. That's when I knew something was up and got it checked with my Doctor. She immediately referred me to breast clinic. And I just knew then it was cancer.
I’m currently going through 6 rounds of chemotherapy which has been so scary at such a young age but I’m trying to remain positive and encourage everyone else to check their boobs. Everyone's boobs are different and everyone has different symptoms. There's lots of videos online that show you how to check properly. If you’re unsure I'd urge you to get them checked anyway just for peace of mind.
Beth’s Story:
September 2023 I found a lump in my armpit, after recently having Covid I put it down to a gland. However, it wasn't going and infact getting bigger. I went to the doctors who thought it was a cyst but referred me to the breast clinic as they don't leave anything to chance. Thank goodness she did! We were due to go to Croatia in October half term. My breast appointment fell on Thursday 26th Oct before we were due to fly on Sat 28th Oct. Within the appointment it became very clear there was something wrong and the consultant wasn't happy. The appointment lasted 2 hours, where I had ultrasound, mammogram and 7 biopsies. We were put in a private room, where our world came crashing down in a matter of minutes. The consultant was more than sure it was cancer but didn't know exactly what we were dealing with until the biopsies came back. The only thing I could think of was my girls, how would we tell them? Am I going to see them grow up?
We were told not to go on holiday incase any appointments became available for CT scans etc. We had to break this news to the girls that they would no longer be going on holiday the day before we were about the leave. We had decided not to tell the girls about the diagnosis until we were fully armed with information and processed this ourselves. The next 2 weeks were the longest 2 weeks of our life. We did not know what we were dealing with. When meeting with the consultant for the results of the biopsies, it was confirmed it was cancer grade 3, her2 positive and oestrogen positive. This means oestrogen and the her2 protein feed the cancer and is classed as an aggressive form and grade 3 as it had spread from the breast 2 the lymph nodes.
However, we found comfort in the fact the consultant suggested there was treatment for it, as we could have come out of that appointment with the opposite news. After a month we told the girls that mummy had a nasty lump that I needed special medication for, the medication would make mummy’s hair go funny. We decided that if we didn't make it a big deal, then the girls wouldn't find it so difficult. They have been fantastic. Just feel so sad that they have had to go through yet another trauma, in a very short time after our daughter Ava’s diagnosis of being type 1 diabetic at just 4 years old.
It has been a huge rollercoaster and trying to keep things as normal for our 2 girls as possible has been at the forefront. I've not been able to work due to illness from the chemotherapy and risk of infection. Surgery is booked for the end of April - a very long road ahead. But with the love and positivity I will get better
Beth Disley and Charlotte Adams are both power houses of women & it’s only right that we all club together to support them during this difficult time. Beth and Charlotte are both amazing local girls & when we heard about their diagnoses we knew we had to do something to help.
Both ladies are self employed beauticians & have had to give up / massively cut down their hours. They’re both mothers to young children and need all the support the community can offer. The money raised will help them both out with everyday life as they try to navigate treatment and raising their families. They’ve both asked that we make a donation from the final total of the money raised towards a charity of their choice. Beth has chosen Velindre Cancer Centre & Charlotte - Coppafeel.
On Saturday 10th August we’re holding a fundraising event as a final push for this page. Evening of Saturday 10th August at the Prince of Wales. There will be an auction, food & live music with amazing prizes to be won. This GoFundMe page will close on Sunday 11th August when all of the funds raised will be split between Beth, Charlotte & their 2 chosen charities - Velindre & Coppafeel.
Please have a read of their stories below & donate as much as you can for these amazing ladies. Thanks so much in advance!!
Charlotte’s story:
It just so happened one day I was watching an influencer on Instagram showing how to check your boobs during Breast Cancer awareness month in October, that I then checked mine. I felt a biggish kind of gristly feeling lump just above my nipple but I do have quite lumpy boobs anyway so didn’t think much of it. I kept an eye on it and within a week it didn't go. My lump was quite prominent and big and slightly tender but didn't hurt much at all. That's when I knew something was up and got it checked with my Doctor. She immediately referred me to breast clinic. And I just knew then it was cancer.
I’m currently going through 6 rounds of chemotherapy which has been so scary at such a young age but I’m trying to remain positive and encourage everyone else to check their boobs. Everyone's boobs are different and everyone has different symptoms. There's lots of videos online that show you how to check properly. If you’re unsure I'd urge you to get them checked anyway just for peace of mind.
Beth’s Story:
September 2023 I found a lump in my armpit, after recently having Covid I put it down to a gland. However, it wasn't going and infact getting bigger. I went to the doctors who thought it was a cyst but referred me to the breast clinic as they don't leave anything to chance. Thank goodness she did! We were due to go to Croatia in October half term. My breast appointment fell on Thursday 26th Oct before we were due to fly on Sat 28th Oct. Within the appointment it became very clear there was something wrong and the consultant wasn't happy. The appointment lasted 2 hours, where I had ultrasound, mammogram and 7 biopsies. We were put in a private room, where our world came crashing down in a matter of minutes. The consultant was more than sure it was cancer but didn't know exactly what we were dealing with until the biopsies came back. The only thing I could think of was my girls, how would we tell them? Am I going to see them grow up?
We were told not to go on holiday incase any appointments became available for CT scans etc. We had to break this news to the girls that they would no longer be going on holiday the day before we were about the leave. We had decided not to tell the girls about the diagnosis until we were fully armed with information and processed this ourselves. The next 2 weeks were the longest 2 weeks of our life. We did not know what we were dealing with. When meeting with the consultant for the results of the biopsies, it was confirmed it was cancer grade 3, her2 positive and oestrogen positive. This means oestrogen and the her2 protein feed the cancer and is classed as an aggressive form and grade 3 as it had spread from the breast 2 the lymph nodes.
However, we found comfort in the fact the consultant suggested there was treatment for it, as we could have come out of that appointment with the opposite news. After a month we told the girls that mummy had a nasty lump that I needed special medication for, the medication would make mummy’s hair go funny. We decided that if we didn't make it a big deal, then the girls wouldn't find it so difficult. They have been fantastic. Just feel so sad that they have had to go through yet another trauma, in a very short time after our daughter Ava’s diagnosis of being type 1 diabetic at just 4 years old.
It has been a huge rollercoaster and trying to keep things as normal for our 2 girls as possible has been at the forefront. I've not been able to work due to illness from the chemotherapy and risk of infection. Surgery is booked for the end of April - a very long road ahead. But with the love and positivity I will get better
Organizer
Caitlin Cresswell
Organizer