Darlene "Dee" Mawdsley Wigan, Lancashire United Kingdom Amazon Heart Thunder United Kingdom 2005, 2006 and 2007 Experienced Rider   Click Here to Donate Now!

Hi everyone my name's Dee and I'm from Wigan, Lancashire, England. I'm 40 yrs old, have two beautiful girls aged 14 and 16 and I've recently married for the second time.

I was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, I was 37 at the time and never thought cancer was something that would happen to me. I had a lumpectomy, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I was told everything would be ok after this treatment, there was a good chance of a full recovery, I was happy with that diagnosis and carried on as much as possible during the gruelling treament programme and after.

I got my second diagnosis in November 2005 after a routine visit to my consultant, to say that one came as a complete and utter shock is an understatement. Although classed as a secondary breast cancer this time the cancer itself had actually eaten its way through my breastbone, the diagnosis was more radical, full removal of the breastbone and a reconstruction using fatty tissue from around my bladder to fill the gap left after the removal. I then had more chemotherapy. This was quite a traumatic time in my life, I did not know if I would recover from this as the surgery I underwent was quite pioneering. The after effects were quite horrific too. Remaining focused was very difficult, being down and depressed were a part of everyday life for me, my girls got me through that time and my family and close friends.

Having gone through cancer twice, surviving and coming out of the darkness on the other side you'd think that would be it wouldn't you? Only it wasn't, I was re-diagnosed in February 2007 with further secondary breast cancer, this time the cancer cells are in the lining of my lung, I am presently on chemotherapy which I should finish in August, just before our ride. I'm under no illusions where cancer is concerned, I hope for remission this time, there is no surgery on offer so I pray the treatment is working for me. I hope I am here to see my girls grow up and become the positive young women I dream they will be for they have been through so much already in their short lifes.

Cancer is an illness that touches everyone, it does not descriminate against race, colour or religion, it can strike anyone at anytime.

Anyone who is reading this profile and the stories of the other women participating in this ride please support our cause generously, we are taking a stand for oursleves and for the people who cant, also the ones that we have lost along the way.

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this, Dee x.

P.S.
I would like to say that I'm participating this year, for the third year running, in memory of two beautiful friends that I have lost in the past 12 months, firstly Jane, who rode with us last year in the Harley/Amazon Heart Thunder ride 2006, secondly for Denise who I originally met in hospital when we were first diagnosed together in 2003. Sadly Denise lost her fight earlier this year, may they both Rest in Peace.

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