A Lea woman is thriving ten years after being diagnosed with cancer, and six years after being told the disease was incurable.
Roisìn Pelan, who has secondary breast cancer, says she’s living her life with ‘light, joy and gratitude’.
She’s also on a mission to raise awareness by sharing personal accounts and experiences on her @roisinppelan Instagram page, plus selling uplifting gifts and cards via her small business, Fighty Pants.
Roisìn is actively involved in charity work, having last year co-founded the Fighting to be Heard Foundation, which has a mission to offer support and friendship for those living with incurable secondary breast cancer.
In addition, Roisìn is involved with CoppaFeel, and she recently completed a 26.2 mile trek in the Yorkshire Dales to raise funds for the breast cancer awareness charity.
Husband Michael joined Roisìn for the trek, which was led by Giovanna Fletcher and attended by over 350 others. Between them, Roisìn and Michael collected almost £1,000 in donations.
The timing of the trek was particularly poignant, as it came just a few days after CoppaFeel founder Kris Hallenga passed away.
Roisìn said of the trek: “It was hard! My hips were on fire from about mile 15 and I felt sick for the last chunk but thanks to so many amazing humans surrounding us and holding Kris in our hearts, we got there.
“The CoppaFeel charity challenge crew are the best people. We’re so grateful to them all for making these experiences magical and uplifting and I’m determined to do more.”
Last month Roisìn took a road trip to France with Michael and their children, Ivy and Bill.
Talking about the trip, Roisìn said: “The three weeks in France were absolutely everything we wanted them to be.
“After a cancer diagnosis, the whole world feels like it’s in HD. You see the vibrancy of colours and the beauty in the world. You look at people you love more deeply than before as if you’re studying every part of them, never wanting to have to leave them.
“France is beautiful. We felt free and relaxed, in no rush to be anywhere or do anything in particular. It makes my heart burst with gratitude that I still get to experience so much with an incurable diagnosis.”
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On the last day of her trip Roisìn found out she had received another clear scan, and she’s already planning the next tick on her living list – a trip around Canada in an RV.
“It was the most perfect way to finish with our last day in France” said Roisìn. “I’m forever thankful for more life and more time and more love and adventure.
“I live with light, joy and gratitude. Of course the fear is always simmering in the background, but my only plan is to keep on thriving.”
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