A BASINGSTOKE businesswoman’s inspirational battle to overcome bladder cancer is to appear in a national magazine.

Alison Clement was diagnosed with cancer in August 2013 and had an operation last October to create a new bladder, called a neo-bladder, constructed using part of her bowel.

Despite spending eight days in hospital and not being able to drive for five weeks, 49-year-old Alison had the determination to expand her card shop business in January this year, while still going through chemotherapy.

The mother-of-one had opened Alison’s Wonderland at Viables Craft Centre in January 2008 and in October 2010 set up a tearoom at the site. She sold hand-made cards at one end, and ran the tea room at the other.

She said: “It was so busy and within a few months we were fully booked everyday and got to number one on Trip Advisor! We were also in the top three in the INSPIRED Business awards. I was very proud, I must admit.”

But in August 2013, after she had initially ignored symptoms of pain and discomfort, Alison received the cancer diagnosis. She said: “I decided to sell the tearoom as my 70-hour week couldn’t continue.”

But Alison had always believed in her card shop, and did not want the cancer to prevent it being a success.

While going through chem-otherapy, another unit at Viables became available and she agreed to take it on.

With the help of friends, it was transformed into a new shop that opened in January.

She said: “It has been amazing. I have been so busy and everyone loves the new look shop. I always believed in my shop and there were times when I knew it would be easier to give it up and just expand the tearoom, but all things happen for a reason.”

She added: “It’s been good to have something to focus on and that’s why I wanted to carry on with the shop. The shop has been really busy since I opened in January.”

After receiving the all clear in July this year, Alison has now shared her inspirational story with Woman At Home magazine, and is due to appear in the January edition.

And this month, Alison organised a fundraiser to give something back to two cancer charities. The event at Viables generated £250 through a raffle, tombola and book sale, which will be split between The Pink Place and Cancer Research UK.