Mum Maria Powell was adjusting her seatbelt in the car when she felt a sharp pain in her right breast.
Following a visit to her GP, who quickly referred her for a scan and mammogram, the 41-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
After undergoing surgery the Beddau woman has now joined a campaign to raise thousands for a new breast cancer “centre for excellence” right on her doorstep.
‘The treatment was amazing’
“I didn’t have a lump or anything but I know something didn’t feel right,” said Maria, recalling the moment she first felt the pain in her breast in July 2014.
“I was very quickly diagnosed. I went to my GP, had a scan at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital the following week, and had chemotherapy the week after that.
“The treatment I had was amazing.”
Maria Powell, from Beddau, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014
Maria, who actually works at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital as a resource manager, then underwent six sessions of chemotherapy over 18 weeks in a bid to shrink the ‘grade three’ cancer.
“It was basically like having a really bad bout of flu,” said Maria, reflecting on her experience of chemotherapy.
“I just wanted to carry on as normally as possible. With two teenage sons it was important to me to continue with everyday life so I decided to continue working.
“I’d work two weeks then I’d take a week off after the chemotherapy.
“A positive attitude was the key thing that got me through it.”
New specialist cancer centre will be created
In December, four months after her initial diagnosis, the mum of two underwent surgery to remove the breast followed by intensive radiotherapy.
She said the whole cancer experience gave her a new perspective on life.
“It makes you stop taking things for granted,” she added.
“It makes you forget about completely insignificant matters which would have bothered me in the past.”
The Giving to Pink team
Following her ordeal Maria decided to join Giving to Pink, a charity which aims to raise money for a specialist breast cancer unit for the people of Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil.
She initially linked up with the Beddau RFC sub-group to Giving to Pink where a number of very successful events were held, including a ladies’ rugby day and a bike ride.
The rugby club then made Giving to Pink their annual charity for 2015 – and raised an incredible £17,000 in just 12 months.
‘Old and in desperate need of replacing’
Maria said it was vital a new breast cancer unit was set up so patients can get the best service possible.
Earlier this month Cwm Taf University Health Board confirmed a new centre would be created at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
A team of three surgeons currently work on three sites in the area but the facilities have been described as “old and in desperate need of replacing”.
Breast cancer patients in the South Wales Valleys are set to benefit from a specialist breast cancer unit which is set to be established at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Maria added: “The quality of care is second to none anyway but the money from Giving to Pink will create a far nicer non-hospital environment for patients.”
In an effort to raise further awareness of the campaign – and the need for specialist breast cancer services in the South Wales Valleys – an event is set to take place next month called Let’s Turn Cwm Taf Pink for the Day.
On Friday, October 14, businesses, schools, sports clubs and NHS staff will all join forces to raise money for the centre.
Emergency services, local authorities, and schools will be taking part in the event along with NHS staff who will wear pink for the day.
Source Media Wales