Our Journey
Unmask Cancer is a charity supporting everyone affected by cancer — not just the patient.
Founded from one woman's own experience of breast cancer, we've grown from grassroots fundraising into a registered charity providing practical support, Chemo-Kits, hospital initiatives, community projects and fundraising events.
Our Founder's Story
It started with a lump...
In November 2017, at the age of 32, I was in the bath when I found a lump in my right breast. I waited 2 days to see if it had anything to do with hormones and if the lump would change or go away. When it was still the same 2 days later, I knew it was time to see the Doctor.
One week on and we were back in the Doctors office for the results, i already knew deep down what those results were going to be but even so hearing the Doctor say '' I'm so sorry but you have breast cancer'' still came as a shock, my first thought was 'but what about Sean and the kids' I was then told I had a stage 1 tumour 1.8cm in size and grade 3 which is the fastest growing cancer and would need either aggressive chemotherapy followed by a lumpectomy which is surgery to remove the lump or surgery and then less aggressive chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and 5 years of hormone tablets as my cancer was boarding being hormone receptor-positive.
We then went on to meet the lovely Gillian who was to be my breast care nurse, at this point my mind had gone blank and I couldn't take in anything she spoke to us about, thank god Sean was with me asking all the right questions
Catching it early
I found my lump very early and because i went straight to the Doctor it made the whole process of treating it so much easier.
We waited until 2 days after Christmas to tell the kids, that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life, they were amazing about it and have continued to be, I cant imagine how it must of felt at the ages of 11,13 and 14 to be told your mum has breast cancer but they have made me so proud.
Treatment begins
Everything was put into action very quickly, I had my lumpectomy in January and started the 1st of my 4 chemotherapy sessions in February. I have now had 3 chemo's and have my last one on 25th April followed by 4 weeks of radiotherapy everyday Mon - Fri.
I have lost my hair but lucky it has now grown back almost to pre cancer length, cant say the about my eyebrows though I was left with a few stands of hair and that's it but its all good as i found a wonderful beautician who does the most amazing micro blading, she was actually recommended to me by another cancer warrior, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made to have it done. You can't even tell my brows are not real hair.
I have had some really tough days health-wise after chemo, but I am so so lucky to have caught it early, it hadn't spread, treatment began quickly, and it was all removed or destroyed through surgery and treatment all within the space of 8 months.
I now take a tablet called tamoxifen every day which is a form of cancer hormone treatment and will be taking that until 2028.
When the treatment ends, cancer doesn't always end
I still have many health problems due to the severe side effects of treatment, I am in pain every single day and rely on lots of pain meds to get me through each day. I am currently having scans to see if we can find what's causing this pain.
For many of us cancer really doesn't end when you get the all-clear, it hangs around making its mark on your body and mind for years to come.
Another effect of treatment is I have severe anxiety and PTSD.
I have found the mental side effects are just as bad as the physical and after speaking to many other warriors this is something a lot of us warriors deal with but don't receive half as much support with and that needs to change.
This is something I would like to work on in the future by creating my own charity.
Finding a purpose
Planning these events is a real help to me, it takes my mind off the pain and anxiety and although yes it can be very stressful at times knowing I can help make life a little bit easier for others is always worth it, that and the fact its always an amazing night and so much fun.
Having breast cancer has made me grateful for so my things especially my family and friends, I can not and will not ever be able to thank everyone enough.
I have had so many amazing messages from so many lovely people, even complete strangers and each one I have appreciated more than I can say.
They say every cloud has a silver lining and being able to hold these nights raising money for cancer charities to help those affected by cancer is my silver lining.
Turning My Experience Into Something Positive
I want to raise as much money as possible and hope you will all help me do that and be a part of something special.
Last year I was officially 5 years into remission which is a big milestone to get to and to celebrate, I held 2 events. The Men's football tournament and my 5th ball - The Winter Wonderland Charity ball.
From fundraising to a charity
So far I have raised over £30,000 for other cancer charities.
Now a registered charity (as of September 2023), I can officially fundraise for my own charity that I started in 2018, and have since grown with my 5 trustees and more helpers along the way!
And the charity can begin taking steps toward becoming a well-known charity which can help other individuals and their loved ones affected by a diagnosis.
A diagnosis affects everyone around, not just the diagnosed 'patient'
An Update From Unmask Cancer
Since Jo's story was written in 2024, so much has changed.
What began with our very first Masquerade Charity Ball in 2018 — raising an incredible £5,227 and starting what would become the Unmask Cancer fundraising journey — has continued to grow.
By the time this story was written, Jo had already raised £29,000+ to support cancer charities and families affected by cancer. Since then, our fundraising has continued to grow, with our supporters helping us reach £50,000+ raised since 2018.
Along the way, our annual charity balls have become a much-loved part of the Unmask Cancer calendar, bringing hundreds of people together for unforgettable nights while raising thousands for those affected by cancer. From our £7,804 Peaky Blinders Ball in 2019 to our £5,506 Winter Wonderland Ball in 2023, and most recently our £3,788.41 Moulin Rouge Ball in 2025, these events have continued to bring our community together year after year.
In 2021, we also held our very first Unmask Cancer Football Tournament, raising £2,000 and bringing together men's and U18 girls' teams alongside a family fun day. The tournament has since grown into an annual community event, with £2,586 raised in 2025 alone.
In September 2023, Unmask Cancer officially became a registered charity, marking a huge milestone in our journey and allowing us to begin developing our own projects and support.
Since then, our work has continued to grow through Chemo-Kits, hospital initiatives, community projects and fundraising events — all made possible by the incredible people, families, businesses and supporters who continue to stand behind us.
While Unmask Cancer has grown, our purpose remains exactly the same: supporting everyone affected by cancer — not just the patient.
