Brave Lauren and family overwhelmed with support

A TALLAGHT woman who is in treatment for breast cancer took part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon over the weekend – and raised over €4,500 for Breast Cancer Ireland.

Lauren Westman, 38, who lives in Old Bawn, embarked on the 10k course alongside her wife Leanne Farnan, her sisters Sarah and Rebecca Westman, and three friends.

The young woman was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after discovering a lump and began chemotherapy in St Vincent’s University Hospital just before Christmas.

Lauren, who is a past pupil of Sancta Maria College in Ballyroan, completed her course of chemotherapy in April and is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy next week.

She asked her wife, sisters and friends earlier this year if they would run the mini marathon with her to raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland, and they all immediately agreed.

Lauren’s sister, Sarah, told The Echo: “We thought it was a great idea, and we’d do anything to help her pass the time, and it was for such a worthwhile charity.

“Just psychologically, I think the mini marathon helped her to fill in the gap of time between waiting for a diagnosis, waiting for doctors’ appointments, and biopsy results.

“The waiting is a really difficult part for patients, so it was good for Lauren to have something like the mini marathon to look forward to and to train and exercise for.”

The group’s endeavour raised over €4,500 for Breast Cancer Ireland, which is a cause close to Lauren’s heart as she regularly listens to the charity’s More Than a Lump podcast.

“I think she’s totally overwhelmed by the support,” added Sarah. “Everybody was really supportive.”

Now Lauren, who works as a travel consultant in Trailfinders, is focusing on completing her treatment and hoping to return to her love of travel.

Sarah said: “Lauren’s consultant is very positive and feels she’ll do very well. She has her surgery next week and there’s a positive outlook for her.”