Fundraising for Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Hello! I'm Emma, Chair of the House of Hope Scotland. This photo is of me the day my dressings came off following my double mastectomy in 2023. Bald from chemotherapy, flat from surgery, searching for hope. 

I was diagnosed with primary triple negative breast cancer in July 2022. After six months of treatment I was incredibly fortunate to hear the words "there is no evidence of disease." Two and a half years on I'm fairly certain that most people who know me think that breast cancer was something that happened in my past. It's not like that for me. The very real after effects of chemotherapy, the ongoing side effects of the medication I still need to take and the constant work that is keeping on top of my mental health so that I can keep the fear at bay is with me every day - although, I must say that as time goes on all of these things do come lighter to bear. 

I'm walking the Kiltwalk for people who are going through breast cancer treatment, those who are living with secondary breast cancer, or are trying to work out who they are post treatment. I'm walking for the people who love the people with breast cancer. And I'm walking for the women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the coming years. After just three months of opening our doors, the House has become the safe haven for people impacted by breast cancer we hoped it could be. It's also the beacon of hope for many who come to talk, laugh, cry and even sing in our home from home. 

I'm scared that my peripheral neuropathy (a side effect of chemotherapy) is going to make this walk - and the days after the walk - painful for me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to walk the 20 miles I've pledged. But the truth is, whether I walk 5 miles or 500 this Sunday, I can guarantee that come Monday there will be families who need the services of the House of Hope and with your donation, we can give them the support and the hope that they need. 

Thank you. 

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