20/10/2026
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Emma's Story 🩷
My name is Emma. In November 2023, my life changed in a second. Whilst doing my regular checks I found a lump. My GP sent me to the Stars Appeal Breast Unit.
Walking into the unit doesn’t feel like a hospital at all. It’s such a fantastic, friendly, and welcoming place. I had a mammogram, then an ultrasound. I had biopsies taken and was asked to wait to see the consultant.
The consultant said she was concerned it was breast cancer. As I walked to the car I thought how am I going to tell my parents, my son and my sister?
I had my first operation at the end of November 2023 to remove the lump, and another surgery in January 2024. I was later told I would need seven rounds of chemotherapy, 10 sessions of radiotherapy and 18 rounds of antibody treatment.
During my chemotherapy I met the brilliant Shelley, the Stars Appeal Aromatherapist. That day I felt at my lowest point, but Shelley was very kind, and the massage was so calming. It made me focus on the smells of the aromatherapy oils and forget where I was.
The Stars Appeal do so much to help patients on the Pembroke Suite. They provide extra equipment, comfy recliner chairs, and even snacks and biscuits and hot and cold drinks. The charity’s Wi-Fi was an absolute bonus. I could FaceTime my sister for a quick chat, which helped take my mind off my treatment.
All these things took the stress out of being in hospital. The extras provided by the Stars Appeal are incredible and helped me to keep being me. Thank you to everyone who supports the charity!
Read Emma's story herehttps://starsappeal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Stars-Appeal-Newsletter_2025_Digital.pdf
