Rebecca Larter, who was diagnosed in June last year, is the face of the annual fundraiser in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
The 33-year-old – who works at Stevenage’s Nobel School – underwent chemotherapy a month later, before having a double mastectomy at Lister Hospital just over a year ago.
Rebecca, who moved from Stotfold to Hitchin in March, has also completed six cycles of radiotherapy but was due to have her last bout of treatment – her 18th and final herceptin injection – today, and will then have a scan in six months’ time.
Explaining how camera crews ended up coming to Hitchin to film Rebecca for a TV advert, she said: “My friend Carla Pilsworth works for Macmillan so I’m sure she played her part in putting me forward.
“I got a call from the production team as they were interested in finding someone young who had been through breast cancer.
“I thought it would be a really positive thing to do and, because I’m a school teacher, I want to educate people – it’s in my blood.
“The whole advert was filmed with family and friends so it was a really nice opportunity to thank them for their support as well.
“Coming back to school, all the kids said they’d seen it. Everyone at Nobel has been really supportive.
“It’s been really nice to be back full-time, when you’re teaching you don’t really feel like a patient, and things are always moving on so there’s no time to dwell.
“What I’ve learned is that you never know when you might need a charity like Macmillan.
“For me they took the problem of me trying to explain everything to my family out of my hands.
“All the literature is there and the support network – and they’re always there and available when you need them.
“I’ve enjoyed the fundraising side, too, as it makes you challenge yourself. Even if you’re doing a little something like a coffee morning, it makes a real difference.”
Students and parents at Nobel are holding a cake sale tomorrow lunchtime for the cause, while Rebecca and fellow staff members will be doing their bit after school on Friday.
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