Hello World,

Setting up something like this was never in my plans, but here we go.

I’m Chantel, also known as Supa Chan, and I find myself on a journey I never anticipated. Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at us, and my battle is against stage 2/grade 3 inflammatory breast cancer. This unexpected journey began when I was just 11 weeks pregnant, and it's been a rollercoaster ever since.

Before my diagnosis, you could say I was living the average millennial existence (average is so underrated, by the way). I worked in a bakery, married my best friend Aaron, who is a youth worker, and we lived in a two-up and two-down rented house with our beautiful 20-month-old boy and a baby girl on the way.

The initial shock hit me like a ton of bricks. What was initially thought to be mastitis due to breastfeeding during my first hospital appointment on March 20th turned out to be a cancer diagnosis on March 23rd. The overwhelming sense of dread and despair was indescribable as I grappled with the reality of being pregnant and having cancer at the same time.

Cancer has disrupted every aspect of our lives, including our finances. Despite being on maternity leave, I can't access additional means-tested benefits. My application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was unsuccessful, adding to our financial burden (currently appealing…KMT).

Throughout this challenging journey, my husband, Aaron, has been my rock. He's been by my side every step of the way, attending every appointment, and his support has been priceless. As I approach childbirth, we're facing the difficult decision of him taking unpaid leave to care for me and our growing family.

Despite the hardships, I refuse to be a victim of cancer anymore! I'm determined to take control of my happiness and rebuild my life. Cancer has also brought unexpected positives, like the incredible support from friends and family who have rallied around us. But with this cost of living crisis, I don’t want to be anybody's financial burden. I not only want to fight cancer but also thrive and truly live! Cancer has given me a renewed reason to live and has made me a stronger person. I wouldn't have done anything like this before my diagnosis!

As I look ahead, my focus is on regaining our financial stability. My goal is to raise £10,000 to cover our immediate cost of living, enable my husband to stay at home to care for me during recovery, and alleviate some of the financial strain, including the debt we've already accrued. Any surplus will go towards rebuilding our savings, a well-deserved holiday after remission, and working towards our dream of owning a home.

Additionally, my husband and I are committed to giving back and are organizing an annual fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for cancer causes. I also plan to use my experience to support others facing similar challenges and continue spreading awareness through social media and content creation.

Your contribution, regardless of its size, will make a significant difference in our lives. Together, we can overcome the challenges cancer has thrown at us, support others on their journeys, and look forward to a brighter future.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

With love and gratitude,

Supa Chan