Double cancer diagnosis spurs travel agent’s fundraising

A Travel Counsellors agent and her husband who were diagnosed with breast cancer within a year of each other are planning an event to give back to a local charity that has supported them through the past three years.

Su Dillon discovered she had breast cancer in 2023 during a mammogram when she was 56. Almost exactly a year later, husband Ken was diagnosed with breast cancer after attending a routine NHS lung health check.

Both have since undergone surgery while Dillon, who has been a travel counsellor for almost 19 years, also had radiotherapy.

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“The first person I called was someone who joined Travel Counsellors on the same day as me who has become a good friend. She immediately allocated my jobs [bookings] and dealt with my business so I could switch off and focus on my treatment and getting well,” recalled Dillon, who also credited Travel Counsellors head office for the support she received.

Through contacts at Travel Counsellors she was put in touch with local cancer support group HER Breast Friends in Hull, and offered the chance to meet up with others in a similar situation.

The charity, alongside another local charity, Fitmums & Friends, also introduced her to dragon boat racing. The paddling action is proven to help lymphatic drainage after breast cancer surgery and the sport has become an important source of friendship and emotional support for Dillon.

“We just go for fun, but you are doing it with people who have been through what you have been through,” she said.

At a recent fundraising dragon boat race, HER Breast Friends and Dillon’s fellow travel counsellors both entered teams. HER Breast Friends and Fitmums & Friends now co-own two dragon boats with City Health Care Partnership and seafaring charity Hull Trinity House.

Dillon and her husband are now organising their own fundraising event for HER Breast Friends in October to include an interactive quiz, rock’n’roll bingo and games.

Fifty people have signed up and Dillon is hoping for up to 80 on the night so they can raise at least £500.

Donate to the Dillons’ event here