SHE battled breast cancer and underwent gruelling chemotherapy – now a York mum is set to help raise vital cash for fellow suffers of the disease by taking part in this year’s Jane Tomlinson 10k.
Harriet Badger, of Fulford, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and needed surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to beat the disease.
Now Harriet is dusting off her running shoes for the York 10k Run For All.
The race, on July 31, will be the second 10k challenge that Harriet has undertaken for breast cancer group The Yorkshire Haven following her diagnosis when she was 41.
Within two weeks of finding a lump in her breast, Harriet was receiving treatment at York Hospital.
Harriet underwent a long period of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour before having surgery to remove the lump.
Harriet then underwent several months of radiotherapy. It was during her visits to hospital that Harriet heard about The Haven, which provides counselling, therapy, support and information free of charge to anyone affected by breast cancer.
Harriet said The Haven helped “put her back together again” once her treatment had ended, and helped her to learn to relax after such a stressful time.
Harriet decided to start running after getting out of breath when chasing her daughter on her bike, as her fitness levels plummeted following her cancer treatment.
She signed up for the 2010 York Run for All to give her a goal and built up her training slowly at ten minutes every day.
On August 1 last year she ran her first York 10k for The Haven, completing in one hour 11mins.
Harriet will once again be lining up with thousands of runners this year to raise more money for The Haven.
She said: “The Haven helped me pick up the pieces after going through treatment and move on. When I first went, I was not in a good place. But the help and support I got there was absolutely invaluable.
“Fortunately, I’m much fitter than I was last year so I’m actually really looking forward to the run this time.
“I have kept up with the running all through the year; it’s part of my life now.”
Harriet is collecting sponsorship and donations. To support her go to justgiving.com/harrietrunsforthehaventaketwo
The Haven still has places available for the York Run for All. To reserve a place phone Tom Robertshaw on 0113 284 7800 or email tom.robertshaw@thehaven.org.uk
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