Katya has been a member of the CID community since the very early days and has become someone we all know and love so much! This walk is to raise funds to donate to Corinthian House Care Home, a part of the Maria Malaband Charity, but also to recognise the impact shes had on the community and especially us at Piglove By The River!

We have organised a Crazy Katya Walk (5km) on the 17th of May, 10am. We will be walking to Thwaite Mill and back starting at Piglove By The River. The dress code is whacky dresses (if you dont own any, ask neighbours or raid the charity shops!!). We will be finishing the walk back at Piglove by the River where we have donated two kegs, so all proceeds from these kegs will be added to the total of this fund!

Please share the link with family and friends, and show of support is highly appreciated!

A message from Katya' Daughter Kate:

Breast cancer does not just affect one person; it touches entire families. In some cases, it can be linked to inherited genes like BRCA1, which can increase the risk of both breast cancer and other cancers, including prostate cancer in men. This is why awareness, early detection, and research are so important.

Everyone has genes that help protect against cancer. One of these is called BRCA1. If someone inherits a mutation in this gene, their risk of certain cancers increases significantly.

In the general UK population, around 14% of women may develop breast cancer in their lifetime. For someone with a BRCA1 mutation, the risk increases between 65-79%. Men are less likely to develop breast cancer themselves, even with the mutation, but they can still carry and pass on the gene mutation to their children, increasing future generations’ risk.

The discovery of the BRCA1 mutation in 1994 transformed the understanding of hereditary cancers, changing approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment around the world.

Throughout the 20th – 21st century, my family lost eight women to breast cancer, many before the age of 60.

Two years ago, my Mum, Katya, was diagnosed with breast cancer, most likely linked to a potential inherited mutation. Her mother carried the gene mutation, and despite concerns about the family history, genetic testing and understanding were far more limited at the time. Today, Katya is bravely battling stage 4 breast cancer.

Her condition is now extremely unpredictable, yet she still faces each new challenge with incredible strength and selflessness. Even during the darkest moments, she still finds reasons to smile and cherishes every moment spent with the people she loves.

Because of Katya’s diagnosis, the risk of her three children carrying this mutation is significantly increased. However, since the discovery of the BRCA1, science and medicine have advanced profoundly, transitioning from only identifying high-risk families to establishing a personalised, high-risk surveillance and management plan, including annual MRI scans and mammograms.

Ongoing research into BRCA1 and hereditary cancers could help change the future for families like ours.

If your family has a history of cancer, please consider genetic testing. It could save your life, and the lives of the people you love.

Thank you for taking the time to read my family’s cancer story and for any support you can give.