Jo's Breast Cancer Story

Jo’s Breast Cancer Story

Say hello to lovely Jo who received two Little Lifts Radiotherapy Boxes via our hospital partners.

Jo’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

Jo was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2021 and had an operation the next month, followed by radiotherapy. Just two months later she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her other breast, needing further operations and radiotherapy. She is now on tablets for the next three years. Both times her cancer was caught early and she is now cancer free.

After receiving her breast cancer gift Box Jo said:

‘I was completely overwhelmed! Here I was about to start radiotherapy for the first time and I had no idea what to expect or how I would feel. It was just surreal! The Little Lifts box made me feel not alone, that someone cared! It was just so thoughtful, it made me cry! I did not think I would get one the second time, but I did, and again it was just having that piece of comfort in feeling I wasn’t alone, that really helped!

Three years on and I still remember most of what was in it, including the luxury bag of hot chocolate, lovely fruit cordial and teabag of relaxing herbs. I continue to buy the fabulous MooGoo cream and the natural roll-on deodorant, and I remember enjoying the bag of healthy seeds in the car on the way home after my first session!’

More about Jo:

Jo has been married for twelve years and has two amazing children, aged 15 and 13. She works part-time at Anglia Ruskin University and is currently undertaking her PhD exploring nurturing approaches to learning. She loves spending time with the family, taking the dog for a walk on the meadows near where she lives and travelling abroad.

Jo’s Top Tips for breast cancer:

Use the time to listen to your body and rest when you need to – I’ve always been really bad at that but found that resting when by body said to really helped!
Try and have a positive attitude – as hard as it is! I cried throughout my first radiotherapy session but did not and will not let the diagnosis consume me.
Moisturise! Moisturise! Moisturise! The effects from radiotherapy can be incredibly harsh and I cannot stress the importance of moisturising well!

Thank you so much for sharing your story and experience with others, helping to spread support and kindness. Your kind words about your your Little Lifts Gift Box mean so much to us!

We appreciate you helping us to spread the Little Lifts love to people affected by breast cancer.