#boobettes

So the last time I wrote, I was on the waiting room side of this door, wondering if something awful was about to happen.

I'd been having pain in Dwayne (my naughty right boob) for 4 or 5 weeks so thought it best to checked out. Figuring everything was OK, and the pain was merely nerve damage, I expected to be in and out of the screening unit relatively quickly. I didn't bank on them finding a shadow and needing to do a mammogram followed by another ultrasound.

As it turns out, they believe the shadow is probably empty space from where they removed the tumour back on 2014. I have to go back for repeat imaging at the beginning of January but this is certainly a welcome reprieve from what could have been the disaster that is a recurrence.

Since my encounter at the screening unit, Coppafeel! has lost one of it's Boobettes, Alex, to secondary breast cancer. She was just 26. This comes weeks after losing another Boobette, Vashti Emma, and just days before a further Boobette, Laura, had stage 4 breast cancer confirmed. As is said in the first video I show people in my Coppafeel! presentation, there is no stage 5.

Please don't be scared about knowing your own body and speaking up about any changes, no matter how small you think they are. Knowing this stuff could very well save your life. Here's a reminder on what to look out for:

Ask any of the 80+ Boobettes spreading boob love up and down the country about CoppaFeel! and they will tell you about the moment this incredible powerhouse of a charity changed their lives.

In some cases, they were diagnosed because of CoppaFeel!s life-saving message. For others, they found CoppaFeel! because they wanted to help young people find the confidence they couldn’t find for themselves and go to the GP. And, others wanted to remind the world that young women do get breast cancer – a fact that steals our friends and loved ones every single day.

CoppaFeel! changes lives and that is, in no small part, down to the fantastic boob-loving Maren. Maren set up the charity with twin sister Kris when Kris was newly diagnosed with secondary breast cancer (a cancer that can be treated but not cured). You only need spend a few minutes in their company to see the bond between them and it is incredibly humbling that Maren has dedicated so much of her life to spreading the message she only wished Kris had heard years before.

CoppaFeel! is now going from strength to strength because of that bond and although Maren has now decided to follow a new path, we know it will be one that often leads her back to those giant inflatable boobs!

We couldn’t let Maren head off on her new adventure without a Boobette tribute. It’s hard to put into words all that Maren means to us. She’s a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Her creative thinking has helped turn CoppaFeel! into a small charity with a big voice. And, I reckon she’s run more races in a giant boob than anyone else.

I have met her a few times (mainly on race days) and she always makes me smile. It’s one thing to support your sister through life-limiting illness. It’s quite another to give up everything to make sure other sisters don’t have to feel the same pain. Maren is my selfless shining star and I feel grateful to know her.

And, I am not alone. Here are just a few thank yous from the Boobettes:

‘I remember my meeting at CoppaFeel! HQ like it was yesterday. I’d finally found a group of ladies I could relate to and were changing a negative into such a positive. I have seen how supportive and what a beautiful bond Maren has with Kris. It is so lovely to see sisters that are so close and are so driven to educate young people in such an important and personal subject.

For me, CoppaFeel! is the charity that us young (ish on my part) people needed. To break the taboo of ‘boobs’; and the importance of checking and self-examining. Maren, you should be so proud of your achievements and the lives you have affected. I wish you all the success in your future ventures.’

Kirsty W

‘I’d like to say a huge thank you to Maren as she is the first person I met when I joined CoppaFeel! As a Boobette and she was super supportive and generally awesome. Wishing you so much luck for your new adventure, you will be amazing at whatever you do.’

Rachel T

‘There’s been a lot of water under the CoppaFeel! bridge since we first met back in 2013 when I contacted you about doing some voluntary work with CoppaFeel! Little did I know I would be caught up in the whirlwind of boob madness that has prevailed since and become a Boobette. Thank you for being such a welcoming face of CoppaFeel! over and over again.. I don’t know what I’d have done without the charity these past few years. There will be an enormous boob shaped hole but I wish you the most enormous amount of luck and love for the future whatever that may bring.’

Sarah (and Ben)

‘I wanted to thank you for doing what you have done over the past 7 years. I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to see you grow as a charity founder and am so proud of what you have achieved! Have loved working with you and occasionally bumping into you, and will miss your gorgeous face. You truly have been an honour to volunteer for and appreciate all you have done for The Boobettes, CoppaFeel! and for me!’

‘Now go do what you need to do and enjoy every minute. I can only hope that we continue to bump into each other in the future.’

Tons of love

Jess x

‘Thank you Maren for all that you have done and creating an awesome charity that means a lot to a lot of people. CoppaFeel! has made me realise a lot. Without you guys I would probably still be struggling with my mental health as you have helped me so much. Being able to share my story for you, and having an amazing circle of Boobettes around to lean on and get support of has meant the world to me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I wish you all the best and good luck in your new adventure. You will be successful in whatever comes your way as you have achieved so much in the last 7 years!

‘You are awesome!’

Lucy

‘I have had a few opportunities to meet and chat with Maren she’s a lovely kind person who’s beautiful soul definitely shines through when you meet her. I wish her good luck in her future endeavours but I know she will always be a part of the CoppaFeel! family. Good Luck Maren xx’

Keely

‘HUGE thank you for everything you’ve done for CoppaFeel! and for being a wonderful human being. I’ve loved every second of volunteering and you’ve been a big part of that. Enjoy all your new adventures. Big love Zwinkels xxxxxx.’

Susan Z

‘I would love you to know that I feel so thankful CoppaFeel! was set up as it really is an amazing charity. I feel so proud to be a Boobette and love spreading the boob love. I have heard so much positive feedback about what we do. Thank you for setting it up and all the hard work you have put in.’

Katerina

Wherever the next chapter takes you, we hope it will be every bit as brilliant as you. Thank you for everything!