A Birmingham mother-of-three will be honoured by a cancer charity today for beating breast cancer and her fund-raising efforts.
Tina Reynolds, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in July, will have a bench in her favourite spot in Old Yardley Park to commemorate the fact she is a survivor.
The inscription, in a twist on plaques which are usually placed in memory of loved ones, reads: "Tina Reynolds loved sitting here - and still does thanks to research into cancer."
She is one of nine people chosen by Cancer Research UK to be celebrate their success as part of the charity's new Being Here campaign, which highlights how advances in cancer research are helping more people survive the disease.
Mrs Reynolds, aged 43, found a 2.5-centimetre lump in her breast as she was showering, but thought it was "just a cyst". However on referral to a specialist at Solihull Hospital she was told straight away it was cancer.
She said: "The nurse was very good, she knew immediately what it was, and I had a biopsy, mammogram and scans done there and then.
"I went home and waited for my husband Tony to get home, when I told him he dropped the newspaper and there were a few tears, but telling our girls was the hardest part.
"I'll never forget that day, I've never liked Thursdays since then, and although not a day goes by when I don't think about it, I refuse to let it get me down. Luckily it was caught early so two months later, last September, I had a lumpectomy and nine lymph glands removed."
Two months later Mrs Reynolds began a four-week course of radiotherapy, and has now been given a clean bill of health.
Her daughters - Claire, aged 23, Stacey, 17, and nine-year-old Abbie - have all joined in with their mother's fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK, including the Stride for Life event at Himley Hall and the Race for Life 5k in Cannon Hill Park. Mr Reynolds recently showed his support for his wife and the charity by abseiling 100ft down a stand at Villa Park.
Now Mrs Reynolds is keen to ensure women across the Midlands become breast aware and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual symptoms or changes.
"I didn't realise how severe the effects can be, with the painful swelling in my arm having lymph glands removed.
I had to give up my job as a child minder because of the cancer," she added.
"I was worried for my daughters, that maybe they might have to face this in later life, but the doctors told me it was very unlikely as there was no other history of breast cancer in our family.
"I want to see my granddaughter Lauren grow up. She's only 18 months old and staying positive helps me do that."
Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Survival rates in Britain have improved for nearly all cancers and the number of people who are free from cancer following treatment is higher than ever before.
"Like Tina, the majority of successfully treated patients now go on to enjoy long periods of good health and in many cases will be cured - research funded by Cancer Research UK has contributed significantly to this progress. We hope that people will be inspired by her story to donate money to our ongoing work and help us find better ways of preventing cancer."
