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Walsall cancer survivor urges people to 'band together' for World Cancer Day

"The most difficult thing was telling the kids, as they were too young to really understand why mummy wasn’t at home and wasn’t able to do normal things for a while.”

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Cancer survivor Justine Harris promotes World Cancer Day by encouraging people to donate through the Unity band.

Justine Harris was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 29, after a routine smear test detected abnormal cells in March 2017.

“I thought nothing of it at first – I thought I would have laser treatment and that would be it, because I know most positive smear tests pick up pre-cancerous changes,” says the mother of three from Walsall.

But her world was turned upside down when doctors confirmed it was cancer and she would need to have a radical hysterectomy.

Luckily, I was able to keep my ovaries to prevent me going through an early menopause, and with the support of my amazing family I got through a very difficult time.

“I had just started a new job when I was diagnosed and had to take time off – it was all very stressful - but luckily they were so kind and understanding about it all. The most difficult thing was telling the kids, as they were too young to really understand why Mummy wasn’t at home and wasn’t able to do normal things for a while,” says Justine.

Three weeks after surgery Justine was told she was clear of cancer and Justine, who works as an aesthetic therapist at Medizen in Mere Green is still able to enjoy fun family activities with her three sons, Keerun,14 , Junaid,10, and six-year-old Esa.

She is now determined to do her bit to help other people facing the disease and is backing Cancer Research UK’s campaign for World Cancer Day and is urging everyone to join her by wearing the charity’s Unity Band on February 4.

Born on February 29 – a date that only occurs in a Leap Year - Justine is revving up for her eight ‘real’ birthday, and a fundraising party which she hopes will drum up a large donation for Cancer Research UK.

Justine says wearing the Unity Band is a visible sign of her gratitude for the research that saved her life.

Cancer Research UK contributed to the introduction of the UK cervical screening programme – one of the most effective cancer prevention measures ever implemented. This test saves thousands of lives from the disease every year.

The charity’s research also set the stage for today’s HPV vaccination programme which could cut the number of cases of cancer and prevent thousands of deaths.

“If it wasn’t for screening, and the research that constantly makes new treatments and diagnostic techniques available, I might not be here to enjoy this special Leap Year birthday,” says Justine.

More than 90 family and friends have bought tickets to her big fundraising Leap Year birthday party on February 29, and Justine has laid on a range of entertainment including singers, a dance group, disco, food and charity auction. She has her sights set on raising a significant amount for Cancer Research UK and will be encouraging guests to wear a Unity Band.

She said: “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance and I want to make the most of it by making every moment count. So I want everyone in Walsall to show their support on World Cancer Day and help Cancer Research UK to tackle this devastating disease. Just by wearing a Unity Band we can all make a real difference to people with cancer.”

Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: “We are very grateful to Justine for staging her amazing fundraising party and showing how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity Band on World Cancer Day.

“Our research has played a role in developing 8 of the world’s top 10 cancer drugs and we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone.

“By making a donation of just £2 for a Unity Band, people in the West Midlands will be funding world-class research to help more people, like Justine, survive. Together, we will beat cancer.”

To get a Unity Band and make a donation, visit the Cancer Research UK shop in Walsall, or any other West Midlands location, or go online at cruk.org/worldcancerday.

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