A STOCKTON mum is appealing for donations to help Cancer Research UK tackle a devastating loss of research funding caused by COVID-19.

Tracy Kearton, 48, who was diagnosed with cancer the same day she got divorced, has vowed to help the charity which helped save her life continue its vital mission.

Thanks to research and improved treatments Tracy was able to overcome her breast cancer diagnosis, find love again and get her life back on track.

In March 2017 Tracy visited her GP after noticing pain in her breast and under arm. It was thought to be hormonal and she was sent away to keep it under observation.

Over the next few months it didn't get any better and in January 2018 she noticed a change in her nipple so returned to the doctor.

Tracy, mum to Emily, 15, and Evie, 11, said: “This time I saw a different doctor who sent me for a two-week referral. I went for a mammogram and was in complete denial.

"I didn’t think it would be anything. But that same day I was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a huge shock.

“My world fell apart and I just sobbed. My only thought was that I was going to die and leave my two girls. It had already been a horrible two years for them.

"I had discovered my husband had been having an affair and as chance would have it, following a lengthy procedure, the divorce absolute came through on the same day as my diagnosis.

"But I just thought that’s one fight done, here’s another I need to get on with for my girls."

Despite the difficult few years and months of treatment and surgery, Tracy is cancer free and looking to the future.

She added: "It felt like my whole world was unravelling, everything except my wonderful daughters.

“It was by far the hardest part of my experience telling them I had cancer, but we are closer than ever. My sister has been amazing throughout and even moved in with us during treatment to help look after the girls.

“And then the silver lining of it all has been rekindling a relationship with my partner Dave, who I went out with about 20 years earlier. We met a week after I was diagnosed and he has been my pillar of strength.

Tracy is now determined to try and help other people diagnosed with cancer by sharing her story.

Cancer Research UK is expecting a £160 million drop in income his year, which is putting future breakthroughs at risk for people like Tracy .

The charity has already had to cut £44 million in research, but this is likely to be just the beginning.

Tracy said: "“It’s thanks to research and improved treatments that I’ve been given more precious time with my girls.

"If I had been diagnosed with cancer ten years ago, the outcome might not have been the same for me – and that’s down to research.

“Nobody wants to see scientists have to start hanging up their lab coats, so I hope that people will be inspired to carry on beating cancer and give what they can.”

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North East, said: “We’re so grateful to Tracy for helping to underline the power of research in saving lives.