AN intrepid Redditch mum is preparing for the challenge of a lifetime – trekking across Oman to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Hannah Morgan, an active member of the rural community in Bentley, is setting off in November with Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford and author Giovanna Fletcher and a team of 50 other men and women who are either breast cancer patients, survivors or have a strong connection to the devastating disease.
It’s all in aid of the breast cancer charity, Coppafeel, which focuses early detection of breast cancer in young women and men, and with her own village community in mind, Hannah hopes to increase awareness and put aside any stigma of checking for breast cancer – especially in men.
“Being married to farmer I know how reluctant they can be to admit illness, but too many women, and men, die of breast cancer due to late detection,” she said.
“More than 2,000 cases are diagnosed at Stage 4 each year – there is no Stage 5. This is unnecessary.”
Hannah, aged 35, believes those living in isolated rural communities could benefit from the work Coppafeel do.
“It is very personal for me. After losing my father last year to cancer, I know that being aware is the first step of survival,” she said.
“My aim is increase awareness and put aside any stigma of checking your boobs, especially in men.
“Conditions on the trek will be tough, with rocky terrain and crippling heat during day and plummeting temperatures at night, but it’s a small price to pay if I successfully spread the message in the rural communities nationwide.”
So far, mum-of-two Hannah has raised more than £4,000 and is setting off along ancient footpaths of the Oman mountains in the first week of November.
She has been climbing the Malverns and Snowdon in Wales to prepare and is hoping people will follow the six-day trek on live online blogs.
To support her visit https://oman coppafeel.everydayhero.com/uk/ hannah-s-trek or go to www.coppafeel.org
