Asda Downpatrick colleague shares her story to raise awareness of breast checking
Alison, who has worked at Asda Downpatrick for over ten years, is a strong advocate for the Asda Tickled Pink campaign which supports leading charities, Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel!
Asda Downpatrick Checkout Operator, Alison Bissenden has reflected on her own experience with breast cancer twenty-three years after remarkably beating it.
As part of a campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Asda Tickled Pink is on a mission to make checking your boobs, pecs, and chests as normal as your Asda shop.
The aim is to raise funds for breast cancer treatments, education, and support.
The annual campaign is the longest running UK charity partnership and over the past 26 years has raised over £77million to date.
A recent survey amongst Asda female customers showed that 9% have never checked their breasts.
And of those that have breast checked before but not on a regular basis, only 24% are forgetting to check regularly compared to the UK average of 41%.
Alison was diagnosed with breast cancer after a mammogram appointment in 1999 at the age of thirty-two.
She said: “It is so important to check yourself regularly, I was so lucky to find my lump quickly and got the right help and guidance from my GP which genuinely changed my life.
Following her mammogram, in February 2000, Alison attended the Ulster Independent Clinic, Belfast for chemotherapy treatment and shortly after she went through radiotherapy treatment.
“I was only thirty-three years old, and I had just dropped my three kids off to school. I was petrified on my way to the appointment, but I knew I had to be strong.”
Fortunately, Alison’s treatment was a success, and she has now been cancer free for twenty-three years.
Alison joined the Asda Downpatrick team in 2012 and has been a great supporter of the Tickled Pink campaign ever since.
“October is an emotional month for me as I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 1999, so I always reminisce during this time.
“When I go for my yearly mammogram, I still feel frightened and even after all these years, the fear is still in the back of my mind.
“I am a massive supporter of the Tickled Pink campaign, and the important messaging Asda shares during this time raises so much awareness.’’
Alison and her colleagues played their part to raise funds and awareness at the Asda Downpatrick store through activities such as dress up days, she enjoys getting involved in the Tickled Pink campaign.
“Tickled Pink is such a fantastic cause. At Asda Downpatrick, the whole team enjoy dressing in pink clothing, handing out leaflets and just doing what we can to support the campaign.
“I am proud to work for an organisation that does so much to raise breast cancer awareness.
“We can be so busy with our daily lives but taking the time out to check ourselves is so important.
“Raising awareness and fundraising for more research into breast cancer treatment is necessary, which is why I have so much admiration for the Tickled Pink campaign.”
Linda Owen, Community Champion at Asda Downpatrick admires Alison and this year they worked together to raise awareness at the store.
She said:“We all admire Alison for what she has been through, she is a true inspiration!
“Alison played a huge part in our fundraising activities this year and we had a great day handing out leaflets to our customers to raise awareness throughout the store.
“We really appreciate her dedication to the campaign every year. Thank you, Alison!’’
