Jacqui Johnson was “living her best life” when she was given devastating news
Mum-of-two Jacqui Johnson(Image: Jacqui Johnson)
A mum whose “whole world fell apart” when she was given a devastating diagnosis has raised over £80,000 for charity. Mum-of-two Jacqui Johnson, from Aintree, said she was “living her best life” before she was told she had breast cancer last year, after finding a lump in her armpit.
The 51-year-old decided to visit her GP last April after finding the lump to get it checked out, despite thinking it was “nothing to worry about”. Within two weeks of the appointment she was admitted to the breast clinic at Aintree Hospital, where her worst fears came true.
Jacqui previously told the ECHO: “One year ago (April 25, 2024) they told me after I had a mammogram and biopsy that it was breast cancer.
“When I look back I can’t even remember the conversation or being told, it was all a blur. I went in [to the appointment] thinking it was nothing, thinking it was just a cyst. I had no other signs of breast cancer. I was happy and healthy, living my best life, then I got told this.
“I came out of the hospital and I was floored. My whole world fell apart, I was scared, frightened – I was just like ‘why me?’ I have two children, how do I tell them? How do I tell my partner, family, friends, what do I do about work?
“My whole world fell apart and I went into a dark place. I remember people were reaching out to me but I didn’t want to speak to anyone because of what I was going through.”
Jacqui Johnson was told she had cancer last April(Image: Jacqui Johnson)
Following the diagnosis Jacqui, who has two children, Freya 24 and Ethan 19, underwent a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy, which she said was “tough”. Thankfully, the treatment worked and the mum-of-two rang the bell earlier this year.
In a bid to thank the nurses and staff who supported her through the cancer battle, Jacqui teamed up with Sutcliffe Charity, where she works, to put on a charity ball where she raised an incredible £89,000 to be donated to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity and Liverpool University Hospitals Charity.
Jacqui had also organised the company’s charity ball last year and in a heartbreaking twist, just five days after the event she found out the devastating news she had breast cancer.
She said: “Last year little did I know that five days later I would be having this diagnosis, the ball tonight means so much to me because it’s something that has touched me. It’s going to be very emotional.”
The money was split between Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity, University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity(Image: Gareth Jones Photographer)
Sean Keyes, CEO at Sutcliffe, said: “At Sutcliffe, we have always cared about the communities we work within and our charity ball was our way of saying thank you and giving back to an organisation that not only helps our families and friends at Sutcliffe, but also the millions of people across the region who have used its services.
“I’m very happy that we surpassed our target and raised £89,000 for three incredibly worthy causes. It is humbling to know the generosity of the Liverpool City Region and what special friends we have.
“In recent years, Sutcliffe has raised over £200,000 for our NHS and I would like to thank all of the team who made this possible. Liverpool is the most generous place in the country. See you all next year.”
For more information about Sutcliffe’s charity ball and to donate, visit the Just Giving page for Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity, University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.
According to the NHS the main symptoms of breast cancer in women include:
- A lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- A change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
- A change in size or shape of 1 or both breasts
- Nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- A change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
- Pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
The health service said it’s important to check your breasts regularly so you know what’s normal for you. This makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your breasts.