Leony McPherson: “I do this as part of healing from the loss of my sisters”

After losing two of her sisters to breast cancer, Leony McPherson is determined to do what she can to fight the disease. To do so, Leony has taken on the incredible challenge of walking 750 miles before the end of the year to raise funds for our vital research. The challenge is made even harder after undergoing a double knee replacement. Read Leony’s story below and her reasoning for taking on this challenge.

LEONY’S STORY

For 10 years, both of my sisters fought hard to beat breast cancer. For the most part, they seemed to be doing well and everything appeared to be going in the right direction. However, at the beginning of 2016, my sister Annette developed a secondary cancer which was extremely aggressive, and we sadly lost her in July 2016. Two months after losing Annette, Andrea was then diagnosed with a secondary cancer. She fought hard, but again we sadly lost her in May 2018. I have also had close cousins who have fought breast cancer and thankfully, so far, they are doing well. My surviving sister and I have regular family history checks and are both okay. I have made it my mission to do whatever I can to contribute to the fight against this very awful disease.

THE CHALLENGE

I have set myself a target to walk 750 miles by the end of the year. I aim to raise a minimum of £1 per mile for this challenge. To achieve my goal, I plan to walk 18 – 20 miles per week. In the last 2 to 3 years, I have had 2 total knee replacements as a result of having osteoarthritis. Having been through the pain of arthritis, and not being able to walk for more than a few metres at a time, I can now appreciate the value and beauty of walking in the great outdoors. Walking is one of the only forms of sport/exercise that I can do comfortably. By taking on this challenge, it motivates me to walk even when I don’t feel like it.

WHY PREVENT BREAST CANCER?

 I have one surviving sister, a daughter and two nieces, so I wanted to contribute to a charity that could make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease. In 2021, I walked 100 Miles in May for Breast Cancer Now and this year wanted to up the challenge. Prevent Breast Cancer jumped out at me as a proactive organisation, and I wanted to lend my support. I do this as part of my healing from the loss of my sisters, but also on behalf of the younger females in my family and community. Hopefully one day, we can find both predict and prevent breast cancer!

A breast cancer free future means a life for my family free of the worry of ‘who’s next?’. A future free of the worry of my daughter wondering if I will be okay. A future free of the worry of my mother praying she will not lose another child!

Are you inspired by Leony and her amazing challenge? How about walking 31 miles this March for Prevent Breast Cancer? Find out more today.