Team members show their support by going pink and raising awareness.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off this October, the Stagecoach Worthing team is stepping up to show their solidarity and raise awareness for a cause that impacts millions. The team has embraced the occasion by wearing pink while out on the buses, raising funds and installing awareness notices at the depot.
A key figure in this initiative is Pamela Kearns, a Worthing bus driver who has spent the last 18 months battling triple negative breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, Pamela is now cancer-free. She has taken an active role in organising the team’s efforts and is using her personal story to highlight the importance of early detection and awareness.
Pamela’s cancer journey began in November 2022, when she discovered a lump in her breast. After a biopsy and diagnosis, she began an intensive treatment plan that included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Her strength and positivity throughout the ordeal have inspired both colleagues and the community. Now, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she’s determined to make a difference.
Reflecting on her involvement, Pamela said: "I am so excited to help do my part for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This cause is close to my heart, and I want to do everything I can to help.”
The Worthing team is committed to raising awareness for breast cancer and encouraging the community to stay informed. Pamela added: “This situation has helped me grow into who I am today, full of positivity and so very thankful in every single way. Cancer has changed my life. It opened up a world of opportunities I didn’t have before.”
For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month or how to get involved, please visit https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/breast-cancer-awareness-month/.
Here is Pam’s story:
My name is Pam.
It's over 18 months since I had my first chemotherapy treatment and sat in the treatment chair for the first time.
A cancer journey, a journey no one ever wants to take. But unfortunately for me, it was one I had to make.
I felt a lump in my right breast in November 2022. A second opinion was needed so I made a dash to my local GP, who took a look and referred me to the hospital. Then a long anxious wait.
In January an ultrasound for me, then a painful biopsy. The doctor said now wait and see, not fun!
A week or so to wait, I kept myself super busy. Then one Wednesday I visited the consultant to get the big result.
Was it cancer? Yes, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.
It felt like being thrown from a catapult.
So a treatment plan was made for me. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Nothing more to say but accept what I've been told.
Every emotion struck me: fear, sadness, and the blood ran cold in me.
So within a week, I had another scan, and my diary was filled with hospital appointments.
A PICC line was inserted into my arm so that the drugs could be easily administered. A very painful experience.
The start of chemotherapy came very quickly. I was soon heading for the treatment chair.
I had six months of weekly chemotherapy. Over the weeks I started losing my hair, so I decided to shave it all. losing my hair was my biggest sadness. I used to be very proud of my beautiful long hair.
It was soon the end of June when I had my last chemotherapy. The weekly trips to the cancer centre in Brighton soon flew by.
Then came the second blow. I was diagnosed with the BRAC1 gene mutation, which meant I was at high risk of having breast or ovarian cancer again. So rather than just having the lump removed, in August I had a double mastectomy.
So was this really the end of my journey? I felt relief for coming so far and making it through the illness.
The results were in from pathology - I was officially CANCER FREE.
But oncology still wanted me to complete the radiotherapy treatment and because of my BRAC1 diagnosis, in December, I had further surgery to remove my fallopian tubes and ovaries.
So now I'm looking back over the past year of my life. What started off as a terrific shock with so much trouble and strife.
This situation has helped me grow into who I am today full of positivity and so very thankful in every single way.
CANCER has changed my life. It opened up a world of opportunities I didn't have before.
I've lost who I was, but I'm proud of the woman I am becoming.
I pray and hope that this is the end of my cancer journey for good, but I'm ready for anything that's to come.