Danielle's story

Just six months after my Mother was diagnosed with Cancer for the second time. I cried, I screamed, and I fell into her arms saying sorry. The thing is, something in me knew it was coming. My Father had also just been diagnosed with Cancer for the second time. And in 2023, I sadly lost my dear Grandfather to Cancer. Of course, I was next, there was no way everyone around me had Cancer but not me. 11 weeks later, after a difficult back and forth with reconstruction and fertility options, I decided against both. I couldn’t live another day with this breast that was over 75% Cancerous, feeding on my Oestrogen and Progesterone daily. I thought, having one breast wouldn’t make me any less of a woman, the same way not birthing my own child would make me any less of a mother. So there I was, a week later having demanded my single mastectomy because I truly couldn’t wait anymore, and 11 lymph nodes removed. 4 of which returned as cancerous which led to an increase in my Stage to Three, and a definite need for Chemotherapy treatment.

I am an ex-professional dancer and since my early 20s, shortly after being injured, I've suffered and struggled with crippling depression, anxiety, CPTSD, neurodiversity, and eating disorders. Still, nothing could have possibly prepared me for this. One thing is for sure, I certainly won't allow it to take me out. I choose to live. I choose to fight. I WILL NOT give up. I WILL beat this Cancer and join the long line of Cancer Survivors.