From cancer patient to abseil fundraiser in under a year

This time last year a staff nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was having treatment for breast cancer.

 Yet this weekend Janet Frank is undertaking an abseil challenge to boost the hospital charity’s Boudicca Appeal, which aims to raise 800,000 for a dedicated breast cancer unit at NNUH.

 She is part of a team of NNUH staff, members of the public and TV presenter Becky Jago who will abseil down The Forum in Norwich on Saturday.

 Janet said: “I wanted to do the abseil because I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2017, when I was 56. It was such a shock to hear you have cancer.”

 “I was having my treatment at NNUH this time last year,” she said. “I had treatment until October, luckily I was all right. I had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

 “My cancer was found on a mammogram. I want to encourage people to have regular scans – it’s so important to highlight it. The new breast cancer unit will be brilliant.”

 Janet, who lives in Cringleford, has been a nurse for ten years and in that time has worked on Knapton, Denton and Cringleford wards. She is grateful for all the support she has had during the past year, and for those who have donated money to her abseil fundraising challenge.

 “I’m going over the edge! I can’t say I’m very good with heights – but it will be ok,” she laughed.

 Cringleford ward sister Claire Brown, was full of praise for her, saying: “I am very proud of Janet, doing the abseil on Saturday. This time last year she was in the throes of having treatment for breast cancer herself.

 “She is testament to recovery and she has returned with her normal professionalism. I hope her story will give other people hope too. It’s lovely that she is giving back to the hospital.”

 The abseil event is being run by the N&N Hospitals Charity to help raise money for the Boudicca breast cancer unit appeal and other areas of the hospital – all of which will improve care for more patients at NNUH.

 The Boudicca Appeal aims to  provide same-day diagnosis service to all patients.

 Anyone who wishes to sponsor Janet’s abseil should go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/janet-frank or to find out more about the hospital charity visit www.nnuh.org.uk or follow twitter @NNUHCharity to see pictures from the event on Saturday.

 If you are in Norwich please do visit The Forum on Saturday and provide support for those taking part in this challenge.