Olive and Linda's story

Linda, 57, and her mum Olive, 80, first signed up as media volunteers towards the end of 2018. Since then they've supported Cancer Research UK by sharing their story via our Brand campaign, on our social media channels, in internal newsletters and are soon to feature in the latest special CRUK-edition of Woman's Own.

Olive was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989, when she was 50. Her diagnosis came four years after the death of her beloved husband Brian and just three months after her first grandchild, Gemma, was born. 

Understandably, Olive was desperate to see Gemma grow up and began treatment right away.  She had a lumpectomy and surgery to remove lymph nodes, then underwent radiotherapy and was put on a course of tamoxifen. She then had check-ups every six months for about five years before doctors told her there was no longer any need for regular check-ups.

In 2017, Olive achieved one of her dreams as she watched her granddaughter Gemma get married and, just last month, she discovered she's about to be a 'Great Nan' for a fourth time. Linda said: “My mum is so proud of her family and is enjoying watching them all grow up. We all love her so much and feel so very lucky to have her.

“She is an amazing lady who looks fabulous for her age, and she never lets anything phase her. Every day for the last 30 years I’ve been grateful that we still have her, thanks to the amazing surgeon, the follow-up treatment and our NHS."

Talking about their experience as media volunteers, she added: "It's been very rewarding seeing the response to mum’s story and helped us understand just how much someone’s experience can help others who may have recently been diagnosed or are just starting treatment. 

"I'm so pleased I took the time to write to Cancer Research UK and hope more people will be encouraged to come forward and share their story."