Conquering her fears – Ginny’s story
After living with breast cancer for many years, Ginny decided to face one of her biggest fears with a skydive to raise money for Barts Charity.
Ginny was 38 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She had recently returned to England after living in the Caribbean for 15 years, arriving with her seven-year-old son Archie and little idea of what the future would hold.
Before leaving the British Virgin Islands, Ginny had found a lump in her breast but had been reassured it was nothing to worry about. When she arrived in England, she knew something didn’t feel right.
A devastating diagnosis
During the pandemic, Ginny developed a persistent pain in her shoulder. Then one day at work, the pain suddenly turned into a large swelling.
Ginny went to A&E at The Royal London Hospital and was referred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where she received devastating news: her cancer had returned and spread to other parts of her body. It was now terminal.
Over the years that followed, St Bartholomew’s became much more than a hospital to Ginny. It became somewhere she felt safe, welcomed and cared for.
“My oncologists are incredible. I just don’t know what I’d have done without them and their team. The nurses are always there for me. I feel like it’s really a safe place. It’s like my second home.”
"There’s just this love and caring - at both The Royal London and St Barts. I’ve never received anything except incredible support and love.”Ginny
Making the most of every moment
Now 58, Ginny is receiving treatment to try to keep her cancer dormant for as long as possible. While she is realistic about what the future may hold, she is determined to make the most of the time she has.
“I’ve had an amazing time,” she says. “We’re about to celebrate five years, after being told I had a couple of years left to live. That’s pretty incredible.”
It was the support Ginny received throughout her treatment that inspired her to give something back to Barts Charity. “I went on the Barts Charity website thinking I would do a bake sale,” she laughs. “I came off having signed up to jump out of a plane!”
There was just one problem: Ginny was scared of heights.
Ginny getting ready for her skydive
Taking the leap
Determined not to let her fear stop her, Ginny went ahead with the skydive – and found an experience she’ll never forget.
“We got to float, and I was like a red kite, just flying. I always say to my son, if I get to come back as something, I want to come back as a red kite. And I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m a red kite. This is amazing.’ We were just soaring through the air.”
The experience helped Ginny raise an incredible £3,000 for Barts Charity – and gave her a new perspective on what she was capable of.
“Now I can say that I am truly fearless.”
Ginny is already looking forward to more fundraising and new experiences. Above all, she remains determined to enjoy the time she has with the people she loves.
“I’m overwhelmed by the wonderful people I have in my life. I hope to have much more time. I’m determined.”
We’re here for it. Are you?
By donating to Barts Charity, you can help fund world-leading research and care for those who most need it, helping change the future of breast cancer care in East London and beyond.
