Woman undergoing chemotherapy raises cash for cancer charity

Perthshire patient walking equivalent length of Scotland

A Perthshire woman is walking the equivalent length of Scotland to raise funds for a cancer charity, all while undergoing chemotherapy.

Julie Foubister is walking around 275 miles for the duration of her chemotherapy treatment to raise money for charity Breast Cancer Now.

She began her fundraiser on Thursday and raised 45% of her £2,500 target in the first morning.

Julie, from Scone, says Breast Cancer Now has supported her in her own experience of having cancer.

She said: “The charity has done quite a lot of research into breast cancer.

“They also have a support line that I have once called, and I spoke to a really lovely lady.”

She added: “I had been walking anyway, so I wanted to do something with it. I have also been going for walks with my 10-year-old.

“I’m really pleased (with the response) so I need to get the miles done now.”

Julie described her son Charlie as having been “very supportive” of her during this time.

Earlier this year, Julie was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which accounts for around 15% – or one in seven – of all breast cancers diagnosed.

She had surgery at the end of April and began chemotherapy at the end of May. Her chemotherapy is expected to last until the beginning of October.

Julie will require another surgery at the end of her chemotherapy.

But despite having to undergo her treatment, Julie is remaining positive.

She said: “I’ve always been a naturally positive person and that mindset has helped massively during this period.

“During the first round (of chemotherapy), after a few days of feeling pretty ropey, I decided that I had to try to turn things around somehow.

“I thought about the things that normally give me a boost – singing and exercise – so still in my pyjamas and looking a little rough around the edges, I dragged myself on to the treadmill and forced myself to walk a mile whilst belting out some upbeat classics with as much gusto as I could muster. It was a slow mile, but I felt so much better.”

Donations can be made to Julie’s fundraiser on her JustGiving page.