Anita Brown
Anita is a 50 year Wife and Mother. Diagnosed terminal in 2016, with a rare Neuroendocine, Small cell Bladder tumour. She thought she was a goner as the cancer has spread to her Lymph nodes, liver, hip and arm bones. Thankfully after palliative chemotherapy and radio therapy she is still here and making her mark on the world. YAY!
Anita began writing her Facebook page “My Big Fat British Bladder Tumour” to help herself after her devastating diagnosis. After treatment had ended, Anita found herself at a loss, she didn’t know what to do with the life no one thought she would live to see.
She is N.E.D. No evidence of Disease at the moment and its now just a waiting game.. It does mean that she has to live the rest of her life without a bladder – Welcome “Sally Stoma” and nothing is going to stop her living the very best life that she can.
Anita began to spread and promote awareness of all things Bladder cancer and was asked to write down and share her journey for Macmillan, The Urology Foundation, Cancer care Parcel. She became a Fight Bladder Cancer supporter and vowed to help this Charity spread and promote the awareness..
Anita has shared her story in Chat magazine, the Daily Mail, Macmillan May 2018 Postal campaign and her recent interview with the French journalist Henri Rouillier saw her story go international on the French website http://www.nouvelobs.com
Her writing got noticed and was asked to share down her experiences and her journey to others with Bladder cancer and she began to write for bladdercancer.net. Anita feels very passionate about spreading and promoting awareness. Alongside Fight Bladder Cancer, the charity, she helped to organise some public events for Bladder Cancer Awareness month.
Most recently she became a part of the “Dying in Dignity campaign”, highlighting the need for a change in the Law in regards to Assisted Dying. Again another campaign that she fees is close to her heart.
A public health advocate, she champions the awareness of Bladder cancer to all who will listen. Having spoken at Macmillan’s “largest Coffee Morning,” at the Houses of Parliament, on Incurable but Treatable Cancers, she was asked to speak at the “All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer’s annual conference”, giving her a wonderful platform to share her journey and its ups and downs.
Currently writing an inspirational book which is a cross between “an idiots guide to Bladder cancer and her journey.” It will make you laugh and cry at the same time.