NO-one knows the shock of finding out they have cancer better than Katrina Zielinski.
The 55 year-old mum of two grown-up daughters went through the ordeal of sitting in a hospital room facing two doctors who had no choice but to look her in the eye and tell her the words no one ever wants to hear:
“You have breast cancer.”
But that was ten years ago and Katrina, from Barrhead, in East Renfrewshire is living proof that you can survive breast cancer. Only recently she has been told she doesn’t have to go back to hospital for annual checks that the cancer hasn’t returned – and that’s as good as an all clear you could get.
Katrina went through surgery having a mastectomy and breast reconstruction and then gruelling sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley and Glasgow’s Beatson Institute.
She will forever be indebted to the skill, care and compassion of the doctors and nurses who saved her life.
And one way she shows her gratitude is by raising money for the Royal Alexandra Hospital Breast Fund, which helps women – and men – in their battle with breast cancer.
Now, Katrina is urging people to support the fund-raising efforts of Braehead Shopping Centre, near Glasgow for the RAH Breast Fund from now until the end of October.
Braehead is collecting unwanted bras and for every one donated to the special Bra Amnesty Box in the upper mall between Thornton’s and Whittard’s, the centre will donate 50p to RAH Breast Fund. And once the bras have been collected, they will be given to charities in the UK and abroad.
There is also the chance to pay tribute and show support to those affected by breast cancer by leaving a message on a giant model bra in return for a donation to the fund.
Katrina says: “I am so grateful I am alive and if there is anything I can do to help other women who are in the same position as I was I would. Fundraising is just one way I can give something in return for the life I was given back.
“We have a very good breast cancer unit at the RAH and we should do as much as we can to help. Nobody knows when cancer is going to strike and who it is going to affect – it could be you or a close family member or one of your friends. I would urge everyone to get involved in Braehead’s fundraising for the RAH Breast Fund.”
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