Jessica Goodall

56km for mum, for awareness, for prevention, and a future without the big c taking our boobies! 💘

My reason for running 56km this October 💘

Breast cancer has unfortunately shaped my family and my life personally.

Before my beautiful mum was even 40, she discovered a lump that turned out to be breast cancer and it spread. My heart broke as I watched her endure debilitating treatment and seemingly endless surgeries, and after what felt like years she came out the other side and kicked cancer’s butt!

Unfortunately, our family’s battle with breast cancer had only just begun.

We discovered that Mum carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer and can be passed down through families. At 18, I undertook genetic testing and learned that I had inherited the same gene mutation.

At 22 years old, I made the decision to have preventative double mastectomy surgery to reduce my risk of developing breast cancer.

A few short years later once I moved to Australia, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time, and once again, she kicked its fricken butt. I will forever be in awe of her strength for herself and for her family as she consoled me crying on FaceTime more than I had to console her.

Today, I try my best to encourage girls and women to know their bodies, check their chests and have open conversations with friends about breast cancer to raise awareness across all ages. I also want people with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer to know that genetic counselling and testing may be worth exploring as if they do carry a genetic mutation, they have options.

In Australia, around 56 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day, and one in seven Australian women will be diagnosed in her lifetime. Back home in the UK, one woman is diagnosed every 10 minutes.

It is easy to hear statistics like these and hope or pray, “It will never happen to me”until it does. Trust me.

That is why I’m running 56km throughout October for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I’m running for my mum, for my family, for everyone who has faced breast cancer and for every family who may face it in the future. I am so grateful for foundations like this one and those overseas as they truly are saving lives, my mums included.

By donating, you’ll be helping to fund vital breast cancer research and move us closer to a future where no one has to lose someone they love to this disease.

Every kilometre and every donation matters. Thank you so much for supporting me 💘