Georgi Welch recently took on an incredible fundraising journey, raising over £6000 for four charities, including Prevent Breast Cancer.
In 2022, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly cancer has been part of her life for over twenty years including devastatingly losing her husband to a rare form.
Passionate about supporting the cancer community, Georgi decided to take on a 250-mile solo hike, and we were lucky enough to catch up with her to find out more.
My own cancer journey started after I’d been for a run and noticed a change in the shape of the underside of my left breast after showering. I knew this was not normal for me and made a GP appointment, where they didn’t find anything, but agreed to refer me.
I then went to a hospital appointment alone, where I had a mammogram which was clear. Ironically, I had just had my letter for a regular NHS screening mammogram which I would have gone to and then perhaps thought nothing was wrong.
An ultrasound followed and the doctor said she could see something and took biopsies. They told me to expect to hear in two weeks. Just two days later I had a call to say I had an appointment the following week, so I knew something was wrong. I was then diagnosed with Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. After further tests and a lumpectomy, more surgery followed. I then found out I also had Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, DCIS and LCIS.
This followed up with ten sessions of radiotherapy and Tamoxifen. I didn’t manage well with Tamoxifen side effects, which for me were debilitating, so I stopped after six months. I have my annual check-ups including a breast MRI, mammogram, and ultrasound.
Georgi continues:
Having raised funds for other cancer charities over the years, I noticed that there is little information available on cancer prevention, and this is why Prevent Breast Cancer stood out for me.
I believe that women (and men) should have a better understanding and awareness of how they could prevent cancer in the first place through screening, keeping active and healthy, and by reducing their alcohol consumption. Prevention is better than cure, and with all diseases we must talk more about this and raise awareness. It’s also vitally important to know what’s normal for you and what’s not.
I lost my husband to a rare cancer fifteen years ago, when he was 39 and our children were aged 11 and 12. I want to use my voice to share messaging about prevention, early detection and support women going through similar.
Georgi relies on being active to help with her physical and mental health, and it was these factors which led to her phenomenal solo hike from Minehead to Cape Cornwall:
The journey was for the cancer community, for every single person whose lives have been changed because of cancer. For those we have lost to the disease, those that have overcome and those that are still here pushing on despite a stage four diagnosis.
On the last day, I was sobbing with pride, knowing each step was getting me closer to the end. Almost running, tears flowing, seeing the special people there to meet me.
I intend to continue living a healthy life, enjoying the simple things, spend time with my family and just be happy. Life for me is really quite simple.
Thanks so much for Georgi sharing her mission to raise awareness and her fundraising journey with us today. What a woman!
If Georgi has inspired you, make sure to check out Prevent Breast Cancer’s upcoming challenge events, including new for 2025 – a once in a lifetime Kilimanjaro Trek!
About Prevent Breast Cancer
Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer – we’re committed to freeing the world from the disease altogether. Unlike many cancer charities, we’re focused on preventing, rather than curing. Promoting early diagnosis, screening and lifestyle changes, we believe we can stop the problem before it starts. And being situated at the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, we’re right at the front-line in the fight against the disease. Join us today and help us create a future free from breast cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, email us today.