Gtech MD's £100k breast cancer fundraising bid
Jothie Walford is the Managing Director of Worcester-based tech company G-Tech and five months ago, she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer after discovering a lump near her armpit.
"Being told that you have cancer makes your world stop and standstill. When you get your diagnosis you feel really alone all of a sudden and you've got all these treatments coming at you," she said.
Since the news Ms Walford received services at the charity Breast Unit Haven and now, with the help of her colleagues at G-Tech, she wants to raise £100,000 for the unit and Macmillan Cancer Support.
"It was a very difficult time, and it was the worst news that I received [as] I was fit, healthy and watched my diet so it was a real shock," she said.
Breast Unit Haven aims to support cancer patients through their treatment and their recovery.
"[The charity] means a lot to me because of the care and the way my treatment emotionally and physically has been handled has made me feel cared for," Ms Walford said.
"I wanted to give something back and do something to help the unit alongside research charities."
The company, which has also launched a range of pink-coloured products to raise money for the charity, is planning a series of fundraisers, including a Hollywood/Bollywood-themed ball at the Gtech Community Stadium, the home of Brentford FC.
For Ms Walford, it is about more than fundraising but an opportunity to share her story and raise awareness of breast cancer in her community.
"People don't want to talk about cancer when they're actually diagnosed, especially from my community, being Indian," she said.
"I think coming out and talking about it, I'm hoping it will raise awareness and people will understand that it is more common, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
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