A Soham woman whose life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed is encouraging people to ‘dress pink for breast cancer’.

Debbie Hitchings, who has spent most of her life in the area, is hosting a ‘Wear It Pink’ day at the Twenty Pence Garden Centre, Twenty Pence Road, Wilburton, on Friday October 19.

The fundraiser runs from 11am to 1pm and she hopes to raise money for research and awarness of the disease.

The 58-years-old said: “My life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

“Thanks to chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy I’m happy to be alive today.

“Please come along on Friday October 19 and support me in raising awareness and in raising funds for research.

“So the words ‘it’s breast cancer’ aren’t so scary to hear.”

A spokesman for Twenty Pence Garden Centre added: “One person in eight is told they have breast cancer every 10 minutes, so we are very pleased to be supporting Debbie.”

For more information visit www.wearitpink.org