For any family, a journey through a cancer diagnosis once is incredibly difficult.
One loving Co Derry woman has recalled the pain of watching her dad battle and beat cancer three times.
Janice Tracey's 83-year-old father Jim Hart was diagnosed with prostate cancer over 20 years ago.
Since then, Jim battled through throat cancer in 2011 and more recently skin cancer only a year ago.
To give back to the charities who supported their family, Janice is pushing herself to complete the Mourne Seven Peaks challenge.
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She told MyDerry: "When anyone hears the word cancer it is terrifying. Not like the scary thoughts I feel about this challenge, the worst thing that can happen to me is that I don’t get all 7 of the summits done.
"But when you get a Cancer diagnosis the worst thing really is the worst thing. Our family was no different.
"We stayed positive throughout, at least on the face of it, but there’s always that fear in the pit of your stomach that doesn’t go away.
"And it's hard watching a loved one go through the treatment and suffering both physically and mentally."
For Janice Tracey and her family, cancer charities like Cancer Focus NI were instrumental in their support network in these difficult times.
It is difficult to find a challenging feat that experienced walker Janice has not yet conquered, however this weekend she will take on the seven peaks of the Mournes.
Janice knows that the fear she holds towards this incredible feat cannot compare to the fear surrounding cancer, and is using this to put her fears into perspective.
Taking on his huge feat was a bit of a last-minute decision by Janice, who was inspired by a social media post.
She said: "When I saw the challenge on social media, one my gym PT had done, and I had thought 'no way I could do that' and then I saw it was for a cancer charity and it got me thinking 'maybe I could challenge myself'.
"That always happens with me, once I think I can’t do it, something clicks in my head and off I go.
"I have a poster on my wall of a woman in walking gear looking out over the mountain range and it says 'Sometimes the fear won’t go away, so you’ll have to do it afraid'. I guess that’s what every cancer patient feels every step of the way."
Supporting a cancer charity such as Cancer Focus NI is incredibly important to Janice as these charities are invaluable to families of those going through cancer treatment.
She said: "All the charities do brilliant work, and with 90% of their funding coming from donations it is critical that we support them as much as possible.
"No-one knows what is coming around the corner and when we might need their help.
"And thanks so much to all those who have supported me, not just by sponsoring through which all the money goes directly to Cancer Focus NI, but also for the lovely messages of support. They can be sure I’ll give it my best shot."
Donations to Janice's fundraiser can be made here.
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