A mother of two who was told she had a 35 per cent chance of dying from breast cancer is celebrating a decade since her diagnosis by canoeing along a Swedish river and wild camping. Vicky Keep, 51, from Whitstable, Kent, was diagnosed with stage three lobular breast cancer in 2016 after finding a lump in the shower.
She underwent a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy and daily radiotherapy, and was told in January 2018 that there was no evidence of disease. Reflecting on her diagnosis, she said: 'I remember just sitting there hearing these words: Sorry, it is breast cancer. My first question was: How am I going to tell my girls?'
This September, Vicky will paddle the entire length of the Harken river in northern Sweden with two close friends, tackling rapids and portaging through dams over eight days. 'It's not going to be a breeze, but something that will feel like a big achievement when we do complete it,' she said.
She aims to raise £10,000 for Odyssey, a charity that helps people with cancer rediscover their zest for life. 'Reaching 10 years is something that I've got to celebrate,' she added. 'Cancer has taught me not to take life for granted anymore.'
