A YOUNG Minehead woman has been overwhelmed by the support she has received since being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of just 27.
When Eve Bampton-Wilton learned she would need chemotherapy, she opted to shave her hair and donate it to The Little Princess Trust.
Little did she know how this would spiral into a fundraising triumph.
On Saturday, Eve was joined by sister Fay, best friend Kerrie Quantick, an uncle, partner Chris Boyd-Payne and 11 of his co-workers from Minehead’s Autohaus.
Having initially set a fundraising target of £1,000, Eve was delighted to smash this with the total standing at £5,292, to go toward The Lavender Trust, a cause close to Eve’s heart.
“The Lavender Trust don’t have the profile of Cancer Research but still do really valuable work,” she said. “I found their Someone Like You programme especially helpful - you give them your background and symptoms and they match with someone who has already been on a similar journey.
“It is not therapy but I have found it useful.”
She is keen to raise awareness and urges younger women to get themselves checked out if they find a lump.
Eve initially spotted a small lump after going to the gym in September.
“I did not think a lot of it to start with, but when it did not shift after a few weeks I went to see the doctor,” she said.
She was referred to Musgrove and had tests including an ultrasound, mammogram and two biopsies and within a fortnight was diagnosed with having an invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of cancer.
She had two surgeries within a week and learned she would have to face chemotherapy.
“I had no symptoms, and could notice my lump more when lying down than standing up. If you spot something please get it checked out - chances are it will be a fatty lump but it better to be safe than sorry,” Eve said.
“I am amazed at how many people have taken part in this and how many people have donated.”
Eve and her supporters had their heads shaved at Leigh Hair & Beauty on Saturday.
If you would like to donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/eve-bampton-wilton.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here