Kerry Burton: Triple Negative Diagnosis

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering charity dedicated to removing the fear of breast cancer for good, through research, campaigning and education.

Because early diagnosis is key to survival, our education and health information raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, making sure that women get that vital head start.

Our campaigning work has opened doors in parliament, allowing us to directly influence politicians and policy makers to improve treatment and care for people with breast cancer.

Kerry Burton: Taking the positives from a triple negative diagnosis.

Kerry joined the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Running Team in October 2009 when she bravely signed up for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. Her inspiration was her recent fight with breast cancer. Kerry says “I took part in the Great North Run in September 2008, 2 days after having a mammogram and biopsy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 days after the run. Taking part in the London Marathon in 2010 took me full circle and helped me to confirm that I’m back again – and maybe a new improved model too!

Sadly, Kerry was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in October 2008. She had a mastectomy and reconstruction in the December, followed by months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy throughout 2009 – at the end of her treatment she decided to run the marathon!

Kerry finished the marathon in X hours and X minutes and says of her experience: “My aim was just to get round the course and to raise as much money as possible for a great charity. It’s been great to have something so big to focus on – and getting out in the fresh air during my training was brilliant.

I wanted to support Breakthrough because they are a major player in developing new drugs. Someone before me ran a marathon and raised money to get my treatment to where it was. I’ve got a daughter: so who knows what the future holds for her and her friends.  It’s great to know that my fundraising efforts will go towards helping their generation. I just wanted to give something back.”

Happily Kerry is now in remission and looking forward to taking part in the Virgin London Marathon again in 2011, reaching her personal best and raising even more for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s lifesaving research, campaigning and education work.

There are so many negatives attached to cancer, but I have taken so many positives from the whole experience. I know that all that positivity – and the thought of my wonderful family – is the thing that got me around the course”. Kerry Burton

To find out how you can join Kerry and run for breakthrough Breast Cancer in one of our many events visit http://breakthrough.org.uk/running_club/