Lynne: “I want to show other women with ovarian cancer that they don’t have to walk alone”

Lynne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Valentine’s Day 2018, aged 51. To celebrate five years since her diagnosis, Lynne is taking part in Walk In Her Name in memory and support of other women with the disease.

Here Lynne shares her story, why she’s taking part in the challenge this March for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and how you can join her.

“I remember the scariest moment in my cancer journey. After my first surgery when they first suspected ovarian cancer, I was throwing up coffee ground emesis - vomit that looks like coffee. It’s a sign of internal bleeding. I thought I was dying. 

A few days later the diagnosis was confirmed. It was Valentine’s Day and my husband played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ to me in hospital. It’s such a special song for us. He put it on loop over and over again and I sobbed.

We went for lunch in the hospital that day. This was the first time I’d eaten in a long time. It might sound odd but this was my favourite Valentine’s Day. You can see us together in the photo above.

Remembering women we’ve loved and lost

I’ve now reached five years since diagnosis of stage 3 high grade serous ovarian cancer. At the end of last year, my doctor phoned me to say there were no more signs of the disease. How lucky am I? 

I knew it could have been very different.

In 2023, the odds are against women with ovarian cancer surviving more than 5 and 10 years. It’s unacceptable. Together we can change this.

A month ago I lost a friend who I’d met at HOPE, a cancer support group. She was only 44. Another friend with ovarian cancer, who had the same surgeons and the same oncologist as me, has been told she has just weeks left. 

When I heard I could support other women with ovarian cancer through Walk In Her Name, it all made sense. 

I’ve come a long way thanks to the support I’ve had. But how do other women cope if they don’t have that? I knew I wanted to take part in Walk In Her Name in memory of my friends and to show other women that they shouldn’t have to walk this journey alone.”

Will you walk alongside Lynne and women with ovarian cancer?

How you can take part

We’d love for you to join Lynne and hundreds of others taking part in Walk In Her Name this Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Our community of supporters are taking on 100km in their local areas throughout the month of March, in memory and support of their loved ones. 

Every step you take and every pound you raise will fuel the research breakthroughs we need to diagnose ovarian cancer earlier and find more effective treatments for women living with the disease. This will help us to reach our ambition of at least half of women with ovarian cancer surviving for 10 years by 2032 - saving the lives of more mothers, sisters and friends.

Step out to fund life-saving research and show your support for women with ovarian cancer this March, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

It’s quick and easy to sign up. Become a member of the Facebook community below - just fill out the quick form in the group to register. Not on Facebook? You can join via JustGiving here. We’ll send you a free fundraising pack to get started and a free t-shirt once you have raised £10!

Please sign up now - in honour of those we love the most

Together, we can make ovarian cancer a survivable disease for all women