Marketing and events management professional Lisa Fleming was 33 when she received her life-changing diagnosis of metastatic secondary breast cancer in 2017. Newly married to husband Euan, and mother to her then 4-year-old son, Lisa was given just six months to live, and told that her care would be palliative after scans revealed that her breast cancer had spread to her bones.
Six years on and following several (15) high-risk operations to her neck, spine, and brain, as well as multiple rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, Lisa has defied all expectations, and in the process discovered a deep sense of purpose through inspiring others with secondary breast cancer to advocate for themselves, and to realise that it is possible to live a full and meaningful life even after such a devastating diagnosis.
Determined to support others, Lisa and Euan went on to found the charity ‘Make 2nds Count’ in 2018 after discovering that only 5-9% of all funding for breast cancer goes towards research into secondary breast cancer, despite the fact that an estimated 1,000 people die of the disease every month in the UK. The charity has raised over £2 million towards research, education, and support for patients across the UK who have secondary breast cancer and they have since stepped down to focus on a new charity initiative.
A powerful speaker, Lisa uses her experience of “learning to live whilst dying” to share moving insights about resilience, self-belief and dealing with a life-changing diagnosis. Her talks focus on topics including:
- Creating a positive impact out of a negative life experience
- Rebuilding life after trauma
- Mental health, wellbeing and self-acceptance
- The importance of support networks
- Spotting the signs and symptoms / breast health
- Raising awareness of the impact of breast cancer on patients and their families
This year, Lisa and Euan launched her second charitable project, House of Hope, which will be a bespoke wellbeing and holistic centre in Edinburgh, designed to support those impacted by breast cancer. Inspired by Future Dreams House in London, the project will be a haven away from hospital and clinical settings, offering its guests life-enhancing opportunities for connection, support and friendship. It aims to look after anyone affected by breast cancer, including current patients and those in remission, as well as families and friends of patients.
