Imogen Brown and Karen Seeley
Two ‘Tough Mums’ from Penarth are set to take on a TV challenge to raise awareness and funds for a charity close to their hearts.
Next door neighbours Karen Seeley and Imogen Brown from Penarth were both diagnosed with breast cancer within six months of each other and both received excellent treatment and care at the Breast Centre, Llandough.
Karen and Imogen are set to take part in ITV Good Morning Britain’s “Tough Mums” challenge on 18 May 2016, where 100 inspirational mums or mother figures join with presenters and celebrity mums to run a 5km obstacle course created by Tough Mudder.
Karen described her reasons for taking part in the challenge: “I have worked as a Children’s Speech and Language Therapist for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for 16 years.
“In 2014, I was referred to the Breast Centre in Llandough and within a month I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had surgery.
“Prior to this, I had not been aware of the Breast Centre, despite it being directly opposite my workplace! It’s an amazing place – the fact that I could have my assessment, mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy completed in one location was vital at such a distressing time.
“It was comforting to have my surgery in familiar surroundings, and be cared for by the same staff.
“Statistics tell us that one in eight woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer, which was all too apparent as my next door neighbour, Imogen, had been diagnosed six months before me and was having ongoing treatment.
“Imogen and I received great support from the staff, particularly the breast care nurses, who have continued to be available at times when we have felt the need for some support and guidance.
“Our treatment has now finished and we have been chosen by ITV’s Good Morning Britain to take part in the ‘Tough Mums’ challenge, which celebrates inspirational mums who have overcome difficult times.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to represent other women in the same situation, and want to show our gratitude to the Breast Centre, via the Breast Centre Appeal, which fundraises for all the extra services, like holistic therapies, and buys new equipment, like 3D mammogram machines”.
If you would like to support Karen and Imogen with their challenge for the Breast Centre Appeal, please visit their Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Karen-Seeley1
Highlights from the ‘Tough Mums’ challenge will be on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, 19th May 2016 from 6am.
