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Leeds mum delayed chemo to save baby
A brave mum-of-six from Leeds delayed life saving treatment for cervical cancer to ensure her unborn child was unharmed.
Debra Hill was pregnant when she received the shock diagnosis – extremely rare in expectant mothers.
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The 36-year-old delayed her radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment until daughter Ellie, now five, was delivered.
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Debra, from Moor Allerton, said: "Having Ellie probably saved my life. Without her, I don't think I would have known about the cancer.
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"When I was having treatment, I started carrying angels around with me, and I still believe to this day that Ellie was my guardian angel."
After winning her fight, Debra became a charity campaigner and forged a friendship with Jackiey Budden, mum of the late Jade Goody.
Jackiey, 52, will join Debra on a sponsored walk at Golden Acre Park, Leeds, next Saturday, in aid of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.
Big Brother star Jade lost her battle with the disease in March 2009 – and today would have been her 29th birthday.
Debra added: "I cried for ages when I heard about Jade having cancer. I told Jackiey about myself and she said she'd love to support me."
Jackiey, 52, said: "I found Debra really genuine and she wants to help women beat cervical cancer through early diagnosis.
"I'm happy to do the walk because it's important to raise awareness and keep Jade's legacy going for my grandchildren."
Debra's ordeal began when she had a miscarriage in November 2003, which was followed by bleeding and stomach cramps.
In January 2004, she fell pregnant again but suffered from extreme tiredness – sleeping for 17 hours a day – and regular bleeding. At 27 weeks, doctors sent her for a scan – and two weeks later, she was told she had a tumour on her cervix.
She said: "I was just in shock. I thought I wouldn't be around for my children and I didn't know what to do. It was terrifying."
Ellie was induced at 33 weeks and just one week after leaving hospital, Debra began her treatment at St James's Hospital.
Thankfully, the tumour hadn't spread, and after three months of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she enjoyed Christmas at home with her partner Darren and other children Rebecca, 19, Luke, 15, Chloe, 14, Jade, 12, and Amber, eight.
After being told she was in remission, Debra discovered the Jo's Trust website, and became involved with charity events and awareness days.
As well as organising Saturday's walk, she has campaigned to introduce the life-saving HPV vaccine and lower the age of smear tests.
She said: "I'm feeling positive and I'm looking to the future. If what
I'm doing now saves even one life, then everything will have been worth it."
To take part in the sponsored walk, which starts at 12pm, call her on 0113 269 2897, 07749 120635 or email debra.hill@e-mile.co.uk.
Jackiey will also be at a Jo's Trust charity disco at the Eyrie in Holt Park, starting at 7pm. Tickets 3 on the door.
* For more information on Jo's Trust, visit www.jostrust.org.uk
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
