Kerry: I can remember silent tears falling whilst the nurse kept telling me that it might be ok

Kerry joins BooBee’s Big Campaign

‘I can remember silent tears falling whilst the nurse kept telling me that it might be ok…’

Our BooBee Ambassadors are 100 women who have been affected by breast cancer. They are joining together to fundraise and spread awareness for a future free from breast cancer. Our BooBees are raring to go and would love for you to join them for their flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam – a high-octane evening of emotion, inspiration and FUN at Manchester Central on November 19th.

Kerry Hodgkiss was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, aged 48. Kerry made a conscious effort to check herself monthly as she had two friends who had also been diagnosed with breast cancer in their mid-40s.

Her treatment finished in 2020 and two years later Kerry has joined Prevent Breast Cancer as part of BooBee’s Big Campaign. Kerry has very kindly shared her breast cancer story with us and told us why she wanted to be a part of the BooBee Campaign.

Can you tell us about your breast cancer diagnosis?

One morning whilst doing my stretches I decided to do my breast check, something which I had made an effort to do every month as two of my closest friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer in their mid-40s. I was acutely aware of the need to be vigilant.

Having found a lump, I went straight to my GP who said they didn’t think there was anything to worry about but would refer me anyway “just to be on the safe side”. Fast forward one week and I found myself in a waiting room at a breast clinic. I watched women luckily skipping out smiling after being seen whilst I was told after my mammogram that I needed a biopsy. I can remember silent tears falling whilst the nurse kept telling me that it might be ok, but instinctively I just knew it wouldn’t be.

I returned to the clinic, accompanied by one of my best friends and fellow BooBee, Wendy.

I was called into the room and when I saw the surgeon and the breast care nurse everything became a blur. I just remember them saying that if I was going to get breast cancer, I got the best one!

What treatment did you have?

By October I had my first surgery, a lumpectomy. By early November, I went back in to have further surgery and luckily, they got “clear margins”.

In December 2019 I started chemotherapy. Chemotherapy finished in April 2020 and six weeks later I started radiotherapy. Three weeks later I was done. It was during the Pandemic, and so I wasn’t allowed to ring the bell, but I skipped out feeling a massive sense of achievement!

Are you still receiving any treatment?

 I will be on Tamoxifen for 10 years.

What inspired you to take part in BooBee’s Big Campaign and what do you hope to gain from it?

I was inspired by my friends who have also been affected by breast cancer and I hope to spread awareness.

Thanks to Kerry for sharing her journey to becoming a BooBee Ambassador with us today.

BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam

Tickets are on sale for the flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam – an evening of bingo and entertainment with an ’80s twist! The night will also include a special catwalk by our BooBees. Show your support by inviting your friends and family and joining us for a party like no other, at an award-winning venue in the heart of Manchester.

BooBee’s Big Campaign

As part of BooBee’s Big Campaign, our BooBees will be spreading awareness by taking to the streets of Manchester in November on a huge bright pink bus. Make sure you keep an eye on our social media to hear where we will be visiting. In the meantime, be sure to book your tickets for the flagship fundraising event – BooBee presents Bingo Bedlam.