AN EXECUTIVE assistant from Bracknell will walk one mile for every year she’s been alive as part of her 60 for 60 challenge to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, as part of the charity’s Pink Ribbon Walks.
Louise Porter, 59, is completing the challenge following her own experience of being diagnosed with and treated for triple negative breast cancer in January 2020.
She is now five years clear of the disease following chemotherapy, surgical and radiotherapy treatment.
Turning 60 in August, she will walk one mile for every year of her life.
With friends she will tackle three of Breast Cancer Now’s Pink Ribbon Walks – Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds, Chatsworth House and the Peak District, and Crieff Hydro in Scotland – walking 20 miles at each event to complete her challenge.
Louise will also be volunteering at the Hampton Court Palace walk, so will be attending every Pink Ribbon Walk this year.
Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraising event, the Pink Ribbon Walks, is marking its 20th anniversary.
Louise faced her own breast cancer diagnosis just before the UK went into lockdown and reflects on her experience of diagnosis and treatment.
“It was like a rollercoaster ride I didn’t choose to go on,” she said.
“You don’t get a lot of time to think about it.
“You go in and meet the consultant, they diagnose you and those three little words, ‘we’ve found cancer’ change you completely.
“You lose control and it’s quite hard because you’re putting your faith in people.”
Then the pandemic struck.
“That was really hard,” she said.
“I had to be careful because chemo compromises your immune system.
“The NHS team became my lifeline.”
Louise is a longtime supporter of the Pink Ribbon Walks having participated even before her own breast cancer diagnosis.
“I call it my pink family,” she said.
“Before I had been walking for what other people had been through, and had no real concept of what that actually meant.
“But then, when I went through breast cancer, I fully understood.
“I’m here and I’m here to help share the message.”
Breast Cancer Now hopes that many more people will join Louise in taking up the Pink Ribbon Walk challenge.
Participants will be able to enjoy beautiful countryside views while raising money for the charity.
And they will be able to add their own message of hope to a huge collection of pink ribbons when they receive their medal at the finish line.
Pink Ribbon Walks are 10 or 20 mile walking challenges that take place across four countryside locations: Hampton Court Palace on Saturday April 26; Blenheim Palace on Saturday May 10; Crieff Hydro in Scotland on Saturday May 31; and Chatsworth House on Saturday June 21.
For information and to register, people should visit: breastcancernow.org
