Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Why I’ll trek 100km with Giovanna.. and be glad to
anyone, male or female, and of any age.” Emma has been inspired to take part in the Coppafeel! challenge because she knows what a difference spotting the signs of cancer early can make, both to the prognosis and the treatment that will follow.
She says: “What I love about Coppafeel! is that it’s all about education and educating people as young as you can, that it can happen to anyone at any point.
“And the best thing you can possibly do is to know the signs, find them early. That way you have hopefully a better chance of getting through it.”
Determined to prepare for the hike, she turned to seasoned walker Giovanna for advice. Emma says: “I was talking to Gi about this and I was like, ‘Do you train in the run-up to this trek? Like, what do I have to do?’ I train a couple of times a week anyway.
“She actually said that she trains by just walking. So Giovanna will just go on really, really long walks.
“So that’s what I’m going to do. And in the past year I’ve been walking more than ever.”
And, of course, she has those boots. She says: “So, at least I’ve got some that are already worn in because apparently that’s very important. “I can’t run for love nor money.
But I can definitely walk and I’m used to being on my feet. I love climbing. So, I was like, walking, I think I can probably do.” She is looking forward to the physical side of it and also to getting to know the other people on the challenge.
She says: “I’m really excited to meet all the people who are applying to go on the trek with us as well.
“Because I would imagine there will be people who either have experienced cancer personally or somewhere in their life with friends or family members. And then maybe there will be some people who have no experience of breast cancer. “I think it will be a really educational five days as well, hearing those different stories and connecting with people. So, I’m imagining a really informative, physically tiring, but incredibly uplifting experience.” In the UK, one in seven women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime and around 400 men are diagnosed every year. Coppafeel! aims to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed as early as possible.
It aims to educate young people on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, encourages them to check themselves regularly, and empowers people to seek medical advice if they do notice anything unusual.
Emma says: “If you’re educated on it young enough, then you’ll grow up being used to those kinds of things. “Checking ourselves in all areas of your body, whether you are male or you are female, it should be the normal really. Because, it can happen to anyone at any point.
“So knowing that you need to do that, I mean, it could literally save your life.”