5 minute read
Got BOOBIES? Then join #STEPHSARMY
Have you got BOOBIES? Yes, then join:
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#STEPHSARMY
Meet Steph Glanville, the kind and hardworking driving force behind popular local Facebook site Burghfield & Mortimer Gossip, who has spent years raising money for Macmillan.
Having raised over £50,000 for the charity, in a cruel twist of fate, Steph has now found herself fighting her own cancer battle. Not only has her diagnosis fueled her fundraising, Steph really is a woman on a mission, determined to educate, support and spread the message to anyone with boobies that early detection is key - and that you should always get them checked! Here’s what she told us:
Tell me a bit more about you, Steph.
I’m 35 and a mummy, wife, employee and breast cancer warrior. I have four wonderful boys aged 2, 8, 9 and 10. I was diagnosed with stage 3, grade 3 breast cancer in September 2020. Luckily I found it before it had spread to other parts of my body. It started with a brown liquid coming from my nipple then weeks later I found the lump. I went straight to my GP...
You have been going through chemo during lockdown.
I’m currently on 6 out of 8 chemotherapy sessions. It’s been hard. Chemo is not my friend. The side effects aren’t pleasant and it sets me back for 5-7 days. Right now with Covid, it’s a lonely experience, too, but I have the best chemo nurse called Matteo. We laugh, I take goodies, we eat and we talk about the future.
You have shown so much courage and are using your experience to fund raise, motivate others and raise awareness. Is this something you are happy to talk about?
Yes of course. Don’t get me wrong, when I was diagnosed I was an emotional wreck. My chemo nurse actually turned around and told me to pull myself together. Positivity is key. From that day I put those big girl pants on and my cape and thought, I’m going to show this cancer. I need to be here for my boys and I need to spread the word about people checking. Everyone assumes breast cancer won’t affect us at a young age but through my small network now of Breast Cancer Warriors, I know people as young as 21 who have it. This was the reason why I applied to be a Boobette for Coppafeel, so I can help educate younger girls and guys about checking their breasts. Early detection really is key.
Tell us about your fundraising for cancer charities?
What kind of things have you done over the years and do you know how much you’ve raised? The fundraising mission started 11 years ago when I reached out to the owner at Trunkwell House about holding a ball for Macmillan Cancer. I’ve organised 3 charity balls in total, coffee mornings with bouncy castles, auctions, raffles, charity adult sports day. Over the years I’ve raised just over £50,000 for Macmillan. I have just become a ‘Boobette’, an ambassador for Coppafeel! who are an amazing breast cancer awareness charity. Coppafeel Boobette’s are all volunteers who have been diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 35, have had preventative surgery, a breast cancer scare at a young age or a strong connection to the disease. Using their stories, they inspire others to think differently about their lives and bodies, educating people about the importance of getting to know your boobs now, and making it a lifelong habit.
What motivates you?
My family is my driving force. I can’t not be here for my boys. I need to see them finish secondary school, get married, and be a nanny. I need to help educate people to know what to look out for so they don’t have to go through what I am going through.
Tell us about Steph’s Army.
Steph’s Army was formed by two wonderful women, Victoria Hopkins and Jem Piggott. They both run small local businesses in the area – ‘Malden Window Cleaning’, ‘Victoria’s Sponge and More’, ‘Jem’s Amazing Boredom Boxes’ and ‘Tinkers’. I know them through the Berkshire Small Business Network and instantly built a friendship. They wanted to do something for me and formed Steph’s Army. We raised over £5000 for Macmillan and are hoping to do something bigger and better this year so watch out!
What would you like to achieve with it?
I think the main aim of Steph’s Army is to raise awareness of breast cancer and make sure that everyone is checking, but if we can also raise money for the charities, even better.
What are your plans after lockdown?
I’m looking forward to days out with the kids, seeing my friends and family, BBQ’s, escape rooms, dinners. I want to start my role as a Boobette and get in front of young people and spread Coppafeel’s important message. Oh, and of course beat cancer. We’re so glad we had the chance to catch up with Steph. It’s important to help her to spread the word about checking yourself to catch breast cancer early, so now that you’re reading this, why not do it now? In fact, why not make it part of your morning routine?
Lumps and thickening
Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone
Constant unusual pain in your breast or armpit
LOOK
Changes in skin texture, e.g. puckering/dimpling
Nipple discharge
If there are any changes, or something doesn't feel quite right, visit your GP without delay. You are not wasting their time and it could save your life.
If you would like to find out more about Macmillan or Coppafeel, you can visit their websites :
www.macmillan.org www.coppafeel.org
