Driving Breast Cancer Care Forward

A current breast cancer patient at York Hospital, Sandra Bates, her husband and two daughters took part in a recent Rally car racing event and raised an incredible £3191.73 for the Breast Care Unit at York Hospital and a further £1000 for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology.

The family took part in the 2011 Promenade Stages Rally at New Brighton in Merseyside on the 9 and 10 September. It was the Rally's 30th Anniversary and it was also Sandra and Bill's 39th wedding anniversary!

Sandra's eldest daughter, Kari, accompanied her as Co-Driver in her quest. Husband Bill drove a second car, accompanied by their 17 year old daughter Katy.

Sandra was diagnosed with breast cancer after attending a routine breast screening at York Hospital where she has recently finished undergoing Radiotherapy.

Sandra Bates said, "I haven't been in a Rally car for 22 years and when I was diagnosed with breast cancer I decided to renew my Rally driving license so I could raise money for the Breast Care Unit in recognition of the fantastic care I have received. I was lucky that my cancer was caught early and I would urge as many women as possible to attend their routine check ups and accept the life saving after care they are offered."

Lucy Watson, Fundraising Manager for the York Teaching Hospital Charity said, "We are so grateful to Sandra and her family for choosing to support our Breast Care Unit at York Hospital and for raising such a fantastic amount of money. It was an exhilarating challenge for the whole family and one I know they all really enjoyed. The money raised will be used to benefit women with breast cancer in the York area."