A West Lothian woman will take part in the MoonWalk fundraiser after crediting the decorated bra she wore during a previous event for finding her breast cancer.
Linda Cunningham saw a lump in her breast in the mirror, when trying on her decorated bra on the day of The MoonWalk Scotland 2016 and was later diagnosed with breast cancer.
Linda (69), from Bathgate, says her fancy bra saved her life as it allowed her to spot the lump.
She said: “It was the actual day of event in 2016.
“It was my second MoonWalk and I’d decorated my bra as usual. I was looking at my outfit in a full length mirror – something I don’t normally do.
“While looking in the mirror, I noticed some puckering on my left breast. I thought it was a bit strange and when I investigated it further, I discovered a lump.
“I didn’t tell anyone else about what I’d found, because we were looking forward to having fun at The MoonWalk that night.
“Luckily, I had a doctor’s appointment planned for the following week anyway, and I mentioned the lump to my GP. I was sent for further tests – a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy – and it was confirmed that I did have breast cancer. My treatment was a lumpectomy, followed by radiotherapy. Because my cancer was caught early, I didn’t need chemotherapy. I’m also taking hormone therapy for 10 years.
“At the time my breast cancer was discovered, I was between mammograms and there was still another 15 months to go until my next one.
“The moral of the story, was that as well as feeling and examining your breasts, you need to look at them too.
“Not everyone stands and looks at themselves in a full length mirror and it was only because of The MoonWalk that I did that myself. I’m so glad I did and The MoonWalk now has an even greater significance for me, as a result. The timing of my diagnosis was crucial – my breast cancer was caught early. If I’d been diagnosed much later, it could have been a lot more invasive.”
Next month she is walking this year (her fifth MoonWalk) with her three daughters and a couple of friends.
Linda and a friend are doing the Half Moon (13.1 miles). Her daughters and a friend are doing the Full Moon (26.2 miles).
Linda’s eldest daughter Susan Sayers (49), from Broxburn, said: “It’s frightening to think that if it hadn’t been for The MoonWalk, Mum wouldn’t have discovered her lump as soon as she did.
"I started taking part in The MoonWalk before Mum was diagnosed and the first year everyone sponsored me which was wonderful. After that, I felt guilty about asking people for money again, so I started holding a coffee morning. I have a big green in front of my house, we put up a marquee and around 60 to 70 people come throughout the day - we also have a raffle and sell homemade knitted brooches to raise money for Walk the Walk.
" We usually arrange the coffee morning for the weekend after The MoonWalk, so this year, it’ll be on Friday 17th June. I love the buzz on the night of The MoonWalk – it’s just like a party. This will be my sixth time and there’s always support along the route and the chatter of voices is just magical.
" Doing good makes me feel good!"
Her other daughter Ruth Feeney (48), from Bathgate said: “The MoonWalk means so much to us as a family, particularly since our Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
". I’ve actually had a couple of breast cancer scares myself – ironically one of those was at the same time that my mum was diagnosed. As it turned out, my tests came back clear, but obviously Mum’s didn’t. I absolutely love The MoonWalk, which is why I keep on signing up to take part – this will be my fourth time.
"I love the atmosphere and the camaraderie, with women and men getting together and having a hoot! We’re walking 26 miles but it really doesn’t feel that far. We’re decorating our bras with a Wonder Woman theme this year – we all have children, and we think of ourselves as Super Mums”!
And third daughter and Ruth’s twin, Jane Cornwell (48), who stays in Leicester, said: “My twin sister Ruth and I train together remotely for the MoonWalk as it’s a great excuse for a catch-up.
"When we did our 20 mile training walk, we were on the phone for the whole five hours. Both of us have power banks and when we start running low we’ll say 'ok, just going to charge now, I’ll call you back in a little while” and then we would carry on where we left off'. I think of her as my friend as well as my twin sister”.
For more information or to sign up to the MoonWalk visit here https://walkthewalk.org/
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