Shropshire's Jennifer stepping out for charity
A Shropshire woman who has survived cancer three times is inviting people to join an overnight fundraiser.
Jennifer Hopwood, 68, of Calverhall, will be taking part in Cancer Research UK's Relay For Life event in Whitchurch in June.
Mrs Hopwood, who opened the event last year, was originally diagnosed with cancer in 1974.
She was aged 27 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma after she found a lump on her neck.
She was treated at The Christie Hospital in Manchester with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and remained cancer free until 2010 when she had a routine check-up at a Well Woman clinic.
Her urine was found to contain high levels of protein and that led to a bowel cancer diagnosis.
Mrs Hopwood, who worked for many years as a mental health nursing assistant in and around Whitchurch and Market Drayton, underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She was doing extremely well until last year when she went back to the hospital for a check-up and a CT scan revealed she had a tumour on her womb.
She underwent a hysterectomy and needed 25 sessions of radiotherapy.
Mrs Hopwood, who lives with her husband Arthur, said: "When I was diagnosed in 2010, it was a bit of a shock as I'd remained cancer free for all those years.
"I didn't expect it to come back.
"Thankfully I was surrounded by good friends and family.
"I knew that the cancer had been discovered very early and the prognosis was good, so I just got my head down and got on with the treatment.
"Last year, when they confirmed it was cancer again I just went numb," she added.
"I thought 'oh no, not again.' But I also thought I've beaten this twice before and I'll do it again."
Mrs Hopwood is now feeling fit and well and looking forward to being involved in Relay for Life once again this year.
She added: "I've always enjoyed walking and wanted to do my bit to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. I managed to do quite well, raising more than £500 so I'm happy to get involved again."
Paula Jones, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Jennifer is an absolute inspiration.
"We hope plenty of other people from Whitchurch will follow her lead and get involved with Relay For Life which is such a rewarding, emotional, but fun event."
The charity is encouraging friends, family and work colleagues to get together and enter this summer's fundraiser.
Teams of between eight to 15 people, of all ages and levels of fitness are needed to take part at Whitchurch Rugby Club over the weekend of June 28 and 29.
For more details about Relay For Life visit cruk.org/relay or call 0871 6412602.
