Mother and son duo Judith and George Stuart have helped Walsall Healthcare’s Breast Care team to support more patients thanks to their fundraising efforts.

After Marks & Spencer Sales Assistant Judith found a lump in her left breast in July 2019, she was fast-tracked to Walsall Manor Hospital, where a diagnosis of breast cancer was confirmed on 10 September.

The 53-year-old explained:

“On 3 October, in the good care of Mr Iqbal Kasana, I underwent a wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. A further shave was carried out in November but sufficient margins were still not met.

“Both myself and Mr Kasana were disappointed with this news. He recommended that I start Fec T in December, treatment which would last until March 2020. This would be followed by a single mastectomy in May, but sadly without immediate reconstruction because of the current global pandemic. Finally, a course of 15 radiotherapy sessions would follow in July.

“From diagnosis through to follow up appointments and treatments, I have received wonderful care and service from Mr Kasana, Dr Sundus Yahya, the superb breast care nurses and the team on the chemotherapy ward.

Whilst nervously starting her first cycle of chemotherapy just before Christmas 2019, Judith’s son George offered to shave his hair off on New Year’s Day. He hoped to raise a few hundred pounds but within the first hour of posting on his JustGiving page donations had exceeded £1000.

The donations continued to pour in and finally a total of £4,150 was raised.

Mom-of-two Judith said:

“I’m grateful and immensely proud of George’s fundraising and we are happy to be able to give something back to support other ladies who are about to start their road to recovery from breast cancer by offering a new mastectomy bra to each lady who faces this difficult time in their lives.

“I was also proud to achieve my own fundraising milestone by running 60 miles throughout the month of September 2020 for Cancer Research UK, raising £1700.

“We hope that this money goes some way to repaying all those who have assisted me during my experience with breast cancer – we cannot thank them enough.”

The Breast Care team has decided to use the money raised to go towards buying bras for patients.

Lisa Smith, Breast Care Nurse said:

“The team are delighted to receive the funds that have been raised to buy bras that will be given to our patients following their mastectomy. The bras are of high quality and will provide patients with shape, support and increased confidence in their appearance post surgery.”