Here for it: Meet Lacey and Jackie

Before the diagnosis

St Bartholomew’s Hospital has been part of Lacey’s family story for years. In 2009, when she was seven, her granddad was treated there for prostate cancer. She remembers not only his clinical care, but the small acts of kindness from staff that made difficult visits a little easier.

Years later, in early 2025, Lacey returned to the same hospital in very different circumstances. Her mum Jackie had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After years of other health complications, cancer had been the last thing on their minds.

Cancer had been put to the very back of our mind. So when it came back that she had breast cancer, it felt like it just came out of nowhere.

– Lacey

Diagnosis and treatment

After treatment began, doctors discovered that Jackie’s cancer had spread to her skin and thyroid and was no longer curable. Jackie and Lacey were devastated.

My first thought was that I’m going to lose my mum. We were very, very heartbroken.

– Lacey

But Jackie remained determined. Lacey shares: “Throughout, she was like: ‘I’m not going anywhere, I’m getting through this, I am beating this.’ She has been so brave and strong throughout all of that.”

Her treatment included emergency tracheostomy surgeries after swelling caused her airways to close, followed by months in hospital between The Royal London Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. During that time, Lacey worked during the day and visited her mum after work, while also adjusting to living alone.

After months of intensive treatment, Jackie improved enough to return home. A new targeted drug treatment helped, and Lacey began to recognise more of the mum she knew before cancer. “Since she’s come home, the hope’s trickled back in, bit by bit. Now I’m starting to see the old her come back, which is really lovely.”

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Supporting our Here for it campaign

The people at the heart of our Here for it campaign, like Lacey and Jackie, are sharing their experiences to show what breast cancer can mean beyond a diagnosis, from treatment and recovery to family, uncertainty and the everyday moments that matter most.

By supporting this campaign, you can help Barts Charity invest in the people, research, equipment and innovations that improve breast cancer care before, during and after treatment across East London.

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What are you here for?

Life now and what comes next

Back at home, Lacey and Jackie are beginning to rediscover ordinary moments that once felt out of reach. One of the most special was returning to Westfield to try on shoes together, a familiar tradition they had gone more than a year without.

This year, Lacey ran the Hackney Half to raise money for Barts Charity as a thank you for the care her mum received. Jackie was there to cheer her on, waving a homemade banner.

Looking ahead, Jackie is slowly rebuilding her strength and the pair are dreaming of travelling again. “We love Race Across the World. We’ve joked that next year we’re going to apply together.” She wants to raise awareness of the impact cancer can have not only on patients, but on the people who love and support them.

What the Breast Cancer Centre means for women like Lacey and Jackie

The consistency in the support and the people caring for you makes such a big difference. It provides reassurance, not just for patients, but for family members too.

The Barts Health Breast Cancer Centre brings specialist care, research and support together in one place. Patients will have access to specialist surgery and reconstruction, oncology, imaging and supportive services, alongside greater opportunities to participate in research and access cutting-edge treatments. The aim is a more joined-up experience throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

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