Edel's Great Pink Run for Breast Cancer Ireland

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, to help raise awareness and funding for Breast Cancer Ireland I am dusting off the running shoes and taking part in the Great Pink Run (Dublin on the 9th of October, Kilkenny the 16th October, virtual 9th-16th Oct). As well as raising funds, I've also decided to donate some of my hair to Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs for children and young people faced with the devastating loss of hair due to illness and treatment.

Last October, after a check on what I thought was just a cyst turned out to be a breast cancer diagnosis.

Hearing those words brought a crippling rush of fear; we've cried, thought the worst and worried how to tell the kids that I was sick. At 36 years old, I found comfort in complete shock; only for Declans strength and support from the moment we heard those words, he took over and has literally held me up ever since. I am so lucky to be surrounded by our pretty class families and so many great friends. We have been blown away by the good around us. The random messages, calls, so many cards, letters, flowers, and gifts gave me a massive boost at times when I was so upset and scared. I've seen the ripple effect and the heartbreak it brought to my family, but everyone that checked-in with Declan, looked out for our kids and messaged my parents, a simple text brought them huge comfort and support.

We are surrounded by so much kindness, I hope I never have to pay it back to any of you, but I promise I will pay it all forward.

Thanks to research and advances in medicine, my cancer was caught early and treatable. By donating to my page you will help fund life-saving research and the provision of good breast health education and awareness programmes nationwide by Breast Cancer Ireland.

It has been a journey for us, we are still on that journey, but thanks to the specialist care, support and reassurance from the nurses and doctors, I am getting my head around it all. I still have days where total sadness and buckets of tears floor me, but more good days now than bad; I am slowly learning to love the new me!

To my daughter, my Mammy, my sisters, all girlies young and old - love your body first!

Know your body, take that step and get it checked - you deserve it.

Any donation at all is so gratefully appreciated, thanks a million.

Edel x