Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
"I'm Jake - a 28-year-old living in Bristol with my partner Charlotte and our stubborn wirehaired dachshund, Otto. Originally from County Durham, I met Charlotte at university in Leeds, but after our engagement, we settled down in sunny Somerset in 2021 after nearly a decade in Yorkshire, to be closer to her family in Devon."
Can you tell me how you first got involved with Make 2nds Count?
"Having worked on PR campaigns for the likes of Yorkshire Cancer Research through work, I had some limited knowledge of Make 2nds Count, although, I didn't appreciate just how overlooked secondary breast cancer is and just how crucial therapies and treatments can be in improving the lives of those with the diagnosis. That came into stark relief when Linda - Charlotte's mam - was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in late 2021 following her first diagnosis and subsequent treatment and recovery in the early 00's.
"Charlotte and I left the 'bright lights' of Leeds behind us after Covid, and in Summer 2021, whilst waiting for our new house to be built, were welcomed with open arms to live - with Linda and Charlotte's dad, Alec - for nearly six months in north Devon. With both of us working from home in the farmhouse, we filled their spare room to the rafters with the contents of our last house, joining remote meetings to discuss lofty marketing campaigns, in stark contrast to the proper hard work on the dairy farm. Suffice to say, it was quite a contrast. Although it must've been testing at times, Linda responded with unflinching patience, generosity and a constant supply of ice cream and homemade scotch eggs.
"After our halcyon days in rural Devon, we said our goodbyes, packed up the van and headed up the road to settle down in Somerset to plan our wedding in our new home. In just a few months, Linda was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and sadly passed away in early 2022. We felt secondary cancer was somewhat overlooked in terms of charities, which is why the family opted to launch a collection for Make 2nds Count."
Can you tell me more about why you chose to fundraise for us?
"Like many others, Charlotte and I got into running over lockdowns. Whilst caring full-time for her mam, Charlotte undertook an incredible fundraising running challenge of her own, giving her a moment of respite and a cathartic release of sorts. I wanted to do something too, so the decision to fundraise for such a worthy cause was an easy one for me.
"Although it was my first fundraiser, I knew I wanted to do something to observe her one-year anniversary and the Bristol Half Marathon was something I couldn't resist. The atmosphere on the day was incredibly warm, supportive, and everyone had a personal story of hardship of their own."
Can you tell us a bit more about Linda?
"Linda embraced her second chance after her first diagnosis and didn't half make the most of it; always brightening a room with her calming presence. She also had an incredibly infectious, often borderline-maniacal, laugh. Whenever the Champions League was on the telly, she'd join in with a loud operatic falsetto, putting everyone in stitches - it was quite the contrast with her usual calming demeanour.
"Turning into your parents as you grow up has some loaded connotations... But for Charlotte, it's incredibly welcome - she's embracing Linda's innate warmth, calming and joyous spirit. Although the grief is still strong, that infectious laugh has definitely been inherited too, and surfaces on a regular occasion.
"A trait that emerges form my dad is a deep, visceral competitiveness between father and son. My dad's best time of 2 hours had to be beaten in the half marathon... I couldn't quite believe it when I scooped a time of 1 hour 40 and I don't think I've stopped rubbing it in since. Sorry, Ian."
"Although Linda won't be there for our wedding next year, no doubt those deep belly-laughs will resurface, as we celebrate and remember not only the scotch eggs and operatic renditions, but the warmth and love she shared with us all."
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