A NEWTON Abbot woman who came close to losing her life to cancer is now hoping to raise money for Cancer Research UK – the organisation that played a big part in saving her life.

Now married to her childhood sweetheart Toby and with a healthy two-year-old son Arlo, Sarah Stephenson’s life was turned completely upside down in June 2012 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

At the age of just 20 she was one of the youngest patients in the UK to be diagnosed with the disease.

Said Sarah: ‘To hear the news at that age I had stage 3 colon cancer was terrifying, even if I did try to pretend I wasn’t scared.

‘I tried to stay calm but to see my whole family and support network distraught I couldn’t pretend any longer.

‘I was petrified I was going to die. But the fear became strength and I started a rough nine months of treatment.’

She has nothing but praise for the medical and support staff that helped her during the cancer diagnosis and treatment.

‘Nothing was too much trouble,’ said Sarah. ‘Nothing was too much to ask for and the friendliness and care I received was incredible.

‘I was a very young patient for them to be treating for bowel cancer, which was new for them all, but they carried me through every step in a way I could comprehend – not obviously enjoy, but at least understand.’

After quick discussions with numerous medical professionals across the UK, and thanks to research that had been carried out by Cancer Research UK, Sarah was given the best and fastest treatment available.

The initial course and plan of action was altered several times but this was only to ensure the best possible outcome her.

She continued: ‘A final plan was decided in July 2012 to carry out surgery as soon as possible and to prevent the tumour from spreading into more lymph nodes as it was growing at a rapid rate.

‘On July 13 I was in surgery and two weeks after I started fertility treatment and 11 eggs were harvested from me and put into storage.

‘In September I started the gruelling course of chemotherapy, eight sessions every three weeks with each session lasting over eight hours.

‘I still remember the sickening feeling as it started to run through my veins and I dreaded the 3 week mark returning but I knew I had to stick with it.

‘Finally the last session came around in February and in March 2013 I was put into remission. It’s now nine years since the diagnosis and I’ve a full bill of health.’

Sarah knows that it’s thanks to the groundbreaking and lifesaving work that Cancer Research UK do that she is now able to live a fulfilling life.

And now, as she approaches her 30th birthday in November, she has decided to give back to Cancer Research UK.

‘Thirty is a milestone for me so I thought I’d aim so raise as much money for the charity as I can by pushing myself and setting 30 challenges,’ she said.

‘Some I will do on my own and some with the help and support of others around me – just like I did through my treatment.’

These challenges and activities include abseiling, a sea swim, a virtual craft event, virtual quiz night, midnight walk and rock climbing – to name but six.

You can support Sarah in her 30for30 Challenge by logging on to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-stephenson30for30 and either donate or join in with some of the events that are planned throughout the year.