A MUM-OF-TWO from Dinas Powys has completed a 100km trek across the Isle of Skye – just weeks after finishing her year-long treatment for breast cancer.
Jodie Morgan has returned from the Inner Hebrides having completed CoppaFeel!’s challenging Skye trek, raising £5,500 for the breast cancer awareness charity.
Mrs Morgan was just 37 years old when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) – a rare form of the disease affecting 15-20% of breast cancers¹ and is more common among women under 40.
In the UK, around 2,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer aged 39 and under, which accounts for around 4% of all cases².
Diagnosed in January 2024, she underwent six months of intensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the remaining masses in her right breast and a round of radiotherapy.
She then joined a clinical trial for preventative treatment, which concluded in May – just four weeks before the CoppaFeel! trek, where she joined 120 other participants, including celebrity supporters such as Giovanna Fletcher. The trekkers covered 100km across five days – walking up to nine hours per day.
‘I can still do hard things,’ says Mrs Morgan.
‘I wanted to prove to myself that my body is strong and capable, despite what it’s been through over the last 18 months.
‘Taking part in this trek pushed me physically and mentally, and I am beyond grateful to have shared the experience with others who truly understand.’
Mrs Morgan – mum to Ben, age 6, and Olive, age 3 – found a lump while in the shower in December 2023.
‘I checked my breasts regularly because of the content I’d seen from CoppaFeel! on social media,’ she explains.
‘You could say I was lucky my algorithm showed me posts that helped me understand the importance of knowing my body because as soon as I felt the lump, I knew it wasn’t my “normal”.
‘TNBC is aggressive and can spread quickly, so early diagnosis is critical. Without CoppaFeel!, I might not have felt it so soon. I am forever grateful to them.’
Mrs Morgan is a support manager at Specsavers, working across its five stores in Cardiff and Penarth. Since her diagnosis, she and her colleagues have actively fundraised for CoppaFeel!, raising thousands of pounds.
Two colleagues, Emma Griffiths and Izabela Wantowska, working at Specsavers Leckwith braved a half marathon in the Peak District with the charity while Mrs Morgan was undergoing treatment.
Other fundraising events organised by the opticians include car boot sales, raffles, cake sales and colouring competitions all in support of Mrs Morgan.
‘Jodie is at the heart of our stores in Cardiff and Penarth,’ explains store director, James Deavall.
‘We’re a community-led organisation and seeing our teams rally behind Jodie to raise awareness of and funds for CoppaFeel! has given everyone a much-needed focus.
‘This trek is a huge personal achievement for her and we couldn’t be more proud.’
Mrs Morgan is continuing her recovery and championing the importance of regular boob-checking.
‘This disease can affect both women and men,’ she adds.
‘Too many of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. If sharing my story encourages even one person to start regular boob-checking, it’ll be worth it.’
To donate to Mrs Morgan’s CoppaFeel! fundraiser, visit Jodie Morgan is fundraising for CoppaFeel!.
