Pals of cancer mum going the extra mile
AGROUP of friends are doing a total of 40 miles walking to fundraise in aid of a cancer-hit mum-of-four.
Sarina Brogan, 40, from Milnrow, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in June, and is now undergoing chemotherapy.
She wants to raise money for the Victoria Unit at Oldham Hospital, to thank them for the “amazing” treatment she is receiving there.
Now, longtime friend Loz Lawlor is walking 40 miles from Pontifract to Milnrow this Sunday (October 11), which will take roughly 13 hours, and he will be joined on the final 20 miles by Sarina’s other friends, Kim Holt, and Sara Fitzpatrick.
Sarina is trying to raise £5,000 for the unit.
Sarina, who is mum to
Tylor, 20, Ellis, 17, Bella, 13, and Anastasia, seven, lost her hair just 21 days into chemotherapy due to it being an aggressive form of treatment.
She said: “It was devastating because I had just turned 40, and you don’t expect it.
“The worst part was losing my hair. I had big curly hair, and as a woman your hair is everything. It’s upsetting.
“I didn’t know whether to put a picture of myself with no hair on Facebook - a lot of people don’t know what others are going through though.
“But I had a lot of support and then I had the idea of fundraising. The nurses and doctors at the unit work so hard, and they’re so lovely.
“One nurse was looking after six patients at once, and she didn’t moan or complain, she was lovely, bubbly, and smiling.
“I appreciate the nurses and doctors more than I’ve ever appreciated anything.”
Sarina has worked at Newbold Tyres, on Milnrow Road, for 18 years, with her dad, who has owned the company for 40 years.
Speaking about her friends, Sarina said: “I am so grateful to them. It’s a massive walk. It’s so nice of them to do this for me.”
The group will be wearing t-shirts, which Sarina would like to thank Wardle-based Andizyne for donating.
Loz Lawlor said: “When I moved back to Rochdale I found out what Sarina was going through, and she has my full support.
“She wanted to give something back, and I decided to do a massive walk. I’ve known Sarina for about 20 years.”
To donate to Sarina’s fundraiser, visit: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/Sarina-Brogan