A Brave and inspiring 53-year-old is walking Snowdon this weekend to raise money for the Alaw Ward where she is still receiving cancer treatment.
Karen Russell, from Llanfairfechan, found a lump in her breast last July, and is still undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment which very often leaves her feeling exhausted.
Despite this the former saleswoman is determined to walk Snowdon during the early hours of Saturday morning and is hoping to watch a beautiful sunrise along with her friends.
Her friend, Alaw Haf, said about Karen: “She is one of a kind, and is a second mum to me.
“She’s a strong and inspirational woman and is always positive despite all the things she’s been through.”
“I’ve been helping her to get to some of her appointments at the hospital and I know how much the amazing staff at Alaw Ward have been helping her, raising money for them means a lot to her,” added Alaw.
Karen urges women to get any lumps checkout as she at first dismissed the pain she felt in her shoulders as a gym injury.
“It has been a horrendous time and I’ve lost members of my family to breast cancer so I knew what to expect,” she said.
“However I cannot fault the treatment I’ve had from my GP in Llanfairfechan, to the surgery and radiotherapy I’ve received at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to the chemotherapy I’ve had at Alaw Ward, in Ysbyty Gwynedd,” she continued.
“All along this journey I’ve met with nothing but kindness. Mr Khatak my surgeon was fantastic.”
She added: “I’m so excited about doing the walk on Saturday, we are meeting in Llanberis at the ungodly hour of 1.30am!
“I’ve already raised £1,660 for the Alaw Ward, thanks to all my supporters it means the world as I know it will go to help patients.”
To sponsor Karen’s Sunrise Challenge please click here www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-russell33 . We wish her the very best of luck!
