AROUND seven years ago, Janet Aspinall saw her best friend die after a long and brave battle against breast cancer.

Along with other close pals, Janet had nursed her friend for five years - right up until her death.

"It devastated me," she says today, "we'd been best friends for years."

One of the first things Janet did after her loss was to give up smoking - "I couldn't face another cigarette," she says.

Then, a little over two years later, Janet received a second blow. Breast cancer had struck again - only this time it was her.

That was four-and-a-half years ago and since then this plucky 51-year-old has put her own fears firmly on the back burner and raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity. The mum-of-two from Walkden remembers: "I found a lump on the front of my left breast, about the size of a marble.

"By coincidence I'd got an appointment with my doctor the following day so I mentioned it to her then.

"She sent me for a biopsy straight away and it was only then I thought it may be something serious."

Janet, who works at Bolton Metro's Ticket and Information, was told she had breast cancer and admits the first thing she thought of was death.

"I'd seen my friend die through breast cancer and convinced myself I would too - I found myself sitting in my garden wondering if I'd ever see flowers I'd planted grow." But soon Janet's determined nature shone through and she decided to fight the cancer. She had an operation to completely remove her left breast and, in October 1997, had restructuring surgery to "build" a new breast.

"Surgeons took muscle and skin from my tummy and made a new breast for me," she says proudly, "I feel great."

It will be five years in July when Janet was first diagnosed with breast cancer and she says although she hopes to get the 'all clear' she won't give up her fundraising.

Last year she held a party for her 50th and asked guests to donate money instead of presents.

"That raised over £1,000," she says incredulously. "I was so emotional - people are just so kind."

The money went to breast cancer charity, Breakthrough and their Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre in London. This year she's organised a ladies' evening in a bid to raise even more money for the centre which is dedicated into finding a way to beat breast cancer.

"The evening is being held at Ellesmere Golf Club in Walkden on Friday, March 12 and we've already sold lots of tickets.

"There's a three-course dinner, a comedian, dancing and a guest speaker - Jan Meek. She's a remarkable woman, 51-years-old and rowed from Tenerife to the West Indies in a row boat with just her son for company."

Janet hopes the evening will result in her sending more cash to Breakthrough but says she couldn't have done any of it without the unfailing support of family, friends and work colleagues. "My son and daughter and my husband, Roger, have all been amazing and I've had brilliant support form my friends at Little Hulton Conservative Club, St Paul's Peel Church and, of course, the girls I work with."

Janet, who looks the picture of health with her glowing skin and twinkling eyes, adds: "I'm lucky , I know I am and I want to help beat this horrible disease.

"This is why I organise fundraising events - it's the one thing I know I can do. I've got so many wonderful friends and they'll never let me down."

Janet is still looking for prizes for the Ladies' Evening raffle. She's already secured a Champagne balloon flight, a helicopter flight and panto tickets but she still needs more.

Businesses wishing to donate can contact Janet on 01204 522311 ext 1086.

Tickets for the Ladies' Evening cost £20 and are available from Janet.

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