10:40am Monday 23rd November 2009
WHEN Kerry Jones was told she had cancer, her world fell apart.
But now three years on, the mum-of-one has beaten the disease, re-trained and set up her own business, and is now striving to achieve her lifetime ambition of becoming a singer.
The 32-year-old is telling her story to inspire other people to follow their dreams and give hope to other sufferers.
Miss Jones, who lives with her partner, Chris Homewood, and their daughter, Georgia Homewood, aged four, found a lump in her right breast in September 2006 and was told it was cancer in January 2007.
It was a second blow for her, following the death of her step-brother, Alan Jones, from a brain tumour in 2003.
She had her breast removed at the end of January and started chemotherapy on March 7, the day before her 30th birthday. Her treatment finished at the end of June.
Miss Jones, of Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, took the decision to have her left breast removed, because of her fears the cancer would return in April 2008.
Since then she has been back to college to study beauty therapy and set up a mobile beauty business, All For You.
Miss Jones is also taking singing lessons and attending auditions, including applying for the BBC reality show “Over The Rainbow” where Andrew Lloyd Webber will search for someone to play Dorothy in the new West End production of The Wizard of Oz.
She said: “It’s been a rollercoaster; you’re scared and anxious and keep thinking the worst. I feel so lucky to be here, I still have down times but I’m moving on.
“I look at life totally differently. I think about having cancer a lot and know how lucky I am — you make the most of things.
“I always wanted to go back to college so I did, then thought I’d set up my own beauty business. I particularly want to help other cancer sufferers, they need pampering, it can help get their confidence back, and if they need someone to talk to I know what they’re going through.”
Miss Jones also said a big “thank you” to all her family and friends, especially her partner Chris, for their support.
l To contact All For You: call 07523 751652.
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