TWO people are on a fundraising journey in support of a new breast cancer charity following the death of a close family member.

Lewis Baxter, 23, and Judith Robinson, 49, were the son and sister of Ruth Baxter, who died of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in July 2020.

She had spent over 10 years as a lecturer at the University Centre of Blackburn College and was a councillor at Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Ruth, a passionate runner, had been diagnosed and recovered from the aggressive form of breast cancer previously, only for it to return in 2019 and rapidly spread to her bones, lungs and liver.

Despite surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and pioneering immunotherapy, Ruth's condition progressively worsened, and she lost her battle against TNBC aged 52.

Whilst the most common breast cancers have one of three types of receptors oestrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth, approximately 15 per cent of all diagnoses have none of these receptors and are said to be "triple negative".

Lancashire Telegraph: FAMILY: Lewis with mum, Ruth, who died aged 52FAMILY: Lewis with mum, Ruth, who died aged 52

With over 8000 people diagnosed with TNBC every year, the vast majority of these being women, Lewis and Judith’s mission is to raise awareness of this rare form of breast cancer, and raise funds and awareness for The UK Charity for TNBC - which provides information for people living with TNBC and funds scientific research to further develop more targeted and effective treatments.

For their Triple Challenge, Lewis and Judith will be running three miles, three times per week for three months. They started on December 3 and their challenge will end on March 3, which is TNBC Awareness Day.

In addition, Judith will be having her hair cut, with over 45cm of her hair set to be donated to The Little Princess Trust Charity, where real wigs are made for children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

For some of their runs, Lewis and Judith will be running around memorable routes for Ruth and visiting hospitals where Ruth had treatments, including the Royal Blackburn Hospital, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Burnley General Teaching Hospital, and Rosemere Cancer Foundation Charity at Royal Preston Hospital.

Ruth's son, Lewis, said: "Mum loved running, so this seemed the perfect way to remember Ruth and put TNBC and this fantastic new Charity on the map.”

Judith said: "Before Ruth was diagnosed with TNBC, we had never heard of it. We're thrilled to be supporting the vital work and raising awareness of the UK Charity for TNBC, whilst starting the conversation about TNBC within Lancashire and beyond.”

A spokesperson for The UK Charity for TNBC said: "With over 40,000 people with TNBC in the UK, it impacts family and friends on a much wider scale.

"There are several fantastic cancer and breast cancer charities out there, but we are the only one in the UK to specifically focus on TNBC."

To follow Lewis and Judith’s journey, and to support, visit their GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/acee12fe