Barry mum urges others to join her on Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust walk

8:40am Tuesday 17th may 2011

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a LEGAL secretary is summoning up support for a cervical cancer charity’s sponsored walk, after fighting her own battle against the condition last year.

Mum-of-one Karen Holroyd is urging others to join her at Barry’s Porthkerry Park next month and take a big step towards raising funds and awareness for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, as its annual 5km walks arrive in Wales for the first time.

Karen, who lives with her partner Anthony Frost and young son in Barry, will embark on the 5km Welsh Walk for Fun on Sunday, June 12.

Karen, 31, said: “I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in August.

“I had been having problems for a while and it had gone undetected.

“I was referred to the University Hospital of Wales where I had a biopsy and within four weeks I was starting treatment.

“I was at stage two by the time it was detected.

“I couldn’t believe it.

“You never expect it to happen to you.

“I’d looked on the internet at my symptoms and thought no, because they say it’s more common in older people,” she added.

“It was a shock.”

Karen underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy and experienced side effects including exhaustion and a DVT, and she still takes medication.

but she has returned to her job at JA Hughes solicitors and is undertaking a law degree, with the hope of becoming a solicitor practising in family law.

Karen, who is also urging women to go for smear tests when invited, said: “I really want to raise awareness because when I finished my treatment I sat home thinking I wanted to show my support for everybody.

“This is a great way to raise funds for the UK’s only charity dedicated to women and the people close to them dealing with cervical cancer and abnormalities.

“But most importantly, it’s a chance to remember, to celebrate and to have fun.”

Zumba instructor Christian Bullen will lead a pre-event warm-up, and participants all get a medal.

for details and to register for the event visit jostrust.org.uk There is also a Facebook event group Sponsored Walk for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

Karen can be contacted on karenhol1980@hotmail.co.uk and sponsored via justgiving.com/karen-holroyd

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