SHERFIELD turned pink on Friday for an event to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This month holds special meaning to organiser Deborah Wyatt, from Sherfield Park, who was diagnosed breast cancer in March at the height the pandemic.

Due to significant delays in being treated by the NHS, Deborah used private insurance to treat the aggressive cancer.

Deborah said: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March having found a thickening in my breast. There were significant delays in being treated on the NHS, so I used my private medical insurance to get seen quickly. My type of cancer was aggressive so I needed treatment straight away. I couldn’t have chemotherapy first, followed by a lumpectomy, as chemo was deemed too dangerous during the peak of the Covid pandemic."

"Instead, I had a single mastectomy followed by 12 rounds of weekly chemotherapy which started in May. I’m also having a course of Herceptin injections every three weeks, which increases survival rates. I’m nearing the end of treatment and now need to learn to live with cancer always being in the background."

Now nearing the end of her treatment and learning to live with cancer, inspiring Deborah is urging women and men across the borough to check themselves regularly.

"It's been a very long and painful journey but I feel it's important to talk about breast cancer and to raise awareness. I wanted to host the event so that women and men would check their boobs," she said.

Deborah hosted a raffle and event at The Coffee Shop on Friday, helping to raise £600. You can donate via the collection box at cafe or via Breast Cancer Now's website.