Sheffield mum-of-three diagnosed with breast cancer at Christmas to ‘brave the shave’ for charity

Sarah Crain, aged 43, got her devastating diagnosis just two days before Christmas last year, and had successful surgery to remove two lumps in January.

She is currently awaiting the start of her chemotherapy and radiotherapy later this month, but decided to preempt her hair loss by doing a ‘brave shave’ for the charity Breast Cancer Now.

“Hair loss will definitely be one of my side effects and the thing I've most worried about dealing with,” said Sarah.

“I have a three-year-old daughter, a seven-year-old son with non-verbal autism, and another nine-year-old son.

“The hair loss will be what they will pick up on most, so I've decided to let them shave off my hair before it falls out - with a bit of help from daddy!”

Sarah said that ‘hard work and lots of support’ has meant she has had a good recovery so far, although she admitted Covid has made it a ‘very tough’ time to go through this journey.

However, she decided that raising money and awareness for others in the same situation was what she wanted to do, choosing to campaign for the charity Breast Cancer Now who have helped her with literature and support over the last few months.

“Our aim was £300 and so far via JustGiving we've raised over £1,800,” she said.

“I've had sponsors that I don't even know so the response has been great. We're doing the shave in the front garden with a few socially distanced friends.

“I'm trying to encourage as many women as possible to check themselves regularly as my outcome could've been very different if I'd not found the lump as early as I did.”

Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity and was formed in 2015 by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

To find out more or donate to Sarah’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-crain.

To find out more about Breast Cancer Now visit www.breastcancernow.org.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.