This August, Sarah Howard from Breast Cancer Now is inviting people to come together over a cup of tea and a slice of cake to support the charities fundraiser, raising vital funds for life-saving breast cancer research and life-changing support.
For Sarah, the cause is deeply personal. Every nine minutes, someone in the UK hears the words “you have breast cancer” – and in 2024, Sarah’s daughter Jenny was one of them.
Jenny was just 41 years old when she received her diagnosis. As a mum to a two-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son, the news had a devastating impact on the whole family. Jenny went on to have a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and, throughout her treatment and beyond, Breast Cancer Now was there to provide support.
Sarah said: “Breast Cancer Now have been incredible. Whether it was sharing information or giving Jenny the time to speak to someone on the phone, there was always somebody there to support her, answer her questions and listen to her fears.
“Jenny also used Breast Cancer Now’s Moving Forward and Someone Like Me services, which made such a difference.”
Today, Jenny is doing well and has finished her treatment, but Sarah and her family know that the journey does not simply end when treatment does.
Breast cancer has affected Sarah’s family across generations. When Jenny was just five years old, her birth mother sadly died from breast cancer at the age of 33. Jenny’s father was left to bring up Jenny and her sister after already losing his own mother to breast cancer when she was 51. Jenny’s maternal grandmother and aunty have also experienced the disease.
Sarah added: “Our family knows only too well the devastating impact breast cancer can have. But we’ve also seen firsthand the incredible progress that has been made through research, better treatments and support.
“Breast Cancer Now’s bold vision is that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live and live well – but that future can’t happen without funds. I wanted to do something to help.”
After signing up to host a Breast Cancer Now Afternoon Tea, one of the first things Sarah did was set a date and invite Jenny to be her guest of honour.
Sarah said: “We were both quite tearful. Jenny had come through her treatment, and I felt it was an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate that things were looking positive.”
Friends, family and neighbours joined Sarah and Jenny at their community hall for an afternoon of tea, cake and conversation – raising money, spreading awareness and celebrating Jenny’s strength.
Now Sarah is encouraging others to get involved this summer.
She said: “The beauty of Afternoon Tea is that you can take part however you want. Whether you go all out and invite everyone you know, or keep it simple with just a few friends, your cuppa could help change a life.
“There’s no pressure to put on a big fundraiser – it’s about coming together, raising awareness and helping Breast Cancer Now continue its amazing work.”
Sign up now for your free fundraising kit, including bunting, posters and games, at breastcancernow.org/cuppa or search ‘Breast Cancer Now Afternoon Tea’.
