A
Nottinghamshire woman who has helped raised tens of thousands of pounds for
charity while battling against cancer is to carry the Olympic Torch on part of
its journey through the region.
Fifty-year-old Julie Smith-Yeomans, of Wollaton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. She
underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and
radiotherapy but the cancer spread to her lungs and liver.
Since then Julie has been
receiving Herceptin treatment (a
medication which slows the growth and spread of cancerous cells in the body) at BMI Park Hospital, but she hasn’t let anything put
her off working for a vast array of charities and good causes.
“The
Olympics coming to Britain is a fantastic thing and I really do feel honoured
to be able to play my part. As well as carrying the Torch I am also going to be
an Olympic volunteer for ten days, meeting and greeting people as they arrive
at the Olympic Stadium.
“I’m just blown away by the whole thing,” she said. “Even my 100th
Herceptin treatment falls on the first day of the Olympic Games – how spooky!”
Sport
already plays a big part in Julie’s life – since she started her cancer
treatments she now cycles to her work as a finance assistant at Boots, has
taken part in charity bike rides, Race for Life and various Sports Relief
events. Not bad for someone who said she used to “get puffed
out running for a bus.”
“I have always had a burning passion for life and had a positive
outlook. I hope to engage, inspire and motivate others to show what can be
achieved with a positive ‘can do’ attitude to life.
“For me, it’s all about what we choose to fit into every precious
day of our lives, to push ourselves to achieve more than we ever thought was
possible,” said Julie.
Julie’s mum Pat, a Nottinghamshire nurse and midwife for 50 years,
who lives in Silverdale, has been with Julie for every single one of her
treatments. She said: “We are all very proud of her. She never stops, she is
always doing things to help others. Carrying the Torch will be a great day for
Julie and for all her friends and family.”
Julie is also full of praise for the team at BMI Park Hospital who have been with her through her battle against cancer.
“I really can’t thank Dr Stephen Chan and his team at BMI The Park
enough including my regular nursing team of Liz, Margaret, Tracey and Julie who
have been joined more recently by Elaine and Sue and Jill who sorts everything
out for me behind the scenes.
“The care and attention I have received has meant I saw landmark
occasions that originally I never thought would be possible including mine and
my husband Russ’s –50th birthdays and our silver wedding
anniversary, and my mum’s 80th birthday.
“When I carry the Olympic Torch I will be carrying for
everyone who has helped and encouraged me over the last six years as well as
for people throughout the world fighting their own battle against cancer.” said
Julie.
Private hospital news : 29 March 2012
