UK: How two friends helped each other cope with cancer

. GLASGOW, Scotland / The Sunday Herald / Life / September 6, 2009 Me and my ... neighbour LYNN MURRAY, 44, fundraiser and office manager Anne and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. It came as an absolute shock, partly because I'd already had cancer in 1980 when I was 15. I'd had bone cancer then, which resulted in my leg being amputated. I certainly didn't think I was going to get cancer again. I do think the two of us having cancer at the same time made us closer, because we were going through everything together and knew how the other was feeling. I'd first met Anne in 1997 at a party, and she became a neighbour in 2000. My first impression of Anne was that she was really lovely. We'd been good friends for a while before we were diagnosed, probably about four or five years. Since then, though, especially after everything we've been through, she's become more like a sister. What inspires me about her is that she's very calm and she thinks things through; I definitely think she considers things more than I do. Sometimes I'll want to jump in with both feet and Anne will pull me back. She's a very kind person and she's always there for me no matter what. When we're not working or fund-raising, we'll go for coffee, or have a glass of wine together. Think Pink Scotland is a breast cancer charity which raises funds for breast cancer research in Scotland. I felt that I'd had such good care and attention right the way through my diagnosis, treatment and surgery that I wanted to give something back. Also, I just didn't want the possibility of my children, nieces or grandchildren experiencing what I went through. Anne and I came up with Think Pink together, then in December of 2005 three friends and neighbours joined the charity. I think one thing that helped us get started was a friend deciding that, instead of buying us cards or flowers, she'd help raise funds for us. She printed up 5000 pink envelopes which asked for £1 donations and she distributed those. One thing I do for the charity is that I'm always looking for new ideas to raise funds. This April we had a ball and in October we'll have what's called a Ribbon Ramble, which is a walk from Rowardennan to Balmaha. Think Pink Scotland is something we'll definitely want to continue for the foreseeable future. ANNE GRAHAM, 52, FUNDRAISER Lynne and I first met at a party held by a mutual friend. She's a very cheerful person, always smiling and laughing. Soon after meeting her, I moved in a few doors down from her in Drymen and it all came together quite well. Our children are about the same age, and my youngest daughter and Lynn's daughter became good friends. We'd take the kids to school and go to parties together. When I found out I had breast cancer I was in total disbelief. I guess I just didn't want to think about it. I never thought I would get breast cancer, but then nobody does. I felt that same disbelief when I'd heard that Lynn had been diagnosed too. We were such good support for one another though, all through the surgery and treatment. We spoke to each other every single day, and helped and supported one another when we were feeling down. I could tell her things that I couldn't tell other people and she was the same. We talked and cried a lot together. I hadn't really thought about fund-raising before, but our experience changed that. Lynn and I both decided we'd like to give something back. After discussing the idea of Think Pink Scotland, we had a meeting with someone at Glasgow University and it all just went on from there. I wanted the money we raised to go into research because I've got two daughters and seven nieces, and if they were ever diagnosed I wouldn't want them to go through what we went through. I work full time as a sister in a neonatal intensive care unit, but when I have the time I put in as much as I can, so Lynn keeps me up to date with everything that's going on when I'm not there. Lynn's got a lot of strength and she thinks a lot about everything she does. She's also absolutely amazing at organising for the charity. She's a very friendly person, and very kind; she'll do anything for you. Our relationship's not changed since starting Think Pink Scotland, we're just the same. I think we'll always be friends. These days we tend to be talking about what's going on with the charity when we meet up during our spare time. When we're not talking shop we'll sometimes go swimming together, and go for coffee and lunches. [rc] Interviews by Melanie Tucker ©2009 newsquest (sunday herald) limited.