Birmingham breast cancer fundraiser
355. Veronica Kumeta
An inspirational local woman who has raised over £1 million to help thousands affected by breast cancer in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Veronica Kumeta, 55, a mother of three co-founded Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer alongside the late Sue Macmaster in 2000. Through the charity they aimed to help their close friend Carol Knaggs, who sadly passed away from breast cancer. Veronica has worked tirelessly over the last fifteen years to fundraise for the Breast Screening unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the charity has provided over a million pounds worth of equipment to help minimise the trauma and treatment of breast cancer.
Veronica, a retired beauty therapist, is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer is the UK’s only regional breast cancer charity and works directly with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, helping patients affected by breast cancer within a 70-mile radius of the hospital. Veronica and a team of inspirational volunteers have raised money through balls, brunches, afternoon teas and quiz nights,. Thanks to Veronica’s tireless work, the charity has paid for a mobile mammogram trailer, allowing up to ten women an hour to be x-rayed in their local area, an ultrasound scanner for diagnosing breast cancer and an x-ray machine that provides microscopic clarity for biopsies.
Veronica’s new goal is to continue to raise money for a new mammogram trailer, enabling hundreds more people to be screened and to also provide a hairdressing salon, mastectomy room, diagnostic suite and a bra fitting service – initiatives that go beyond what is available on the NHS but could make a huge difference to the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“After seeing her friend Carol battle breast cancer, Veronica set herself the huge task of supporting hundreds of ladies across Birmingham living with the disease. The amount she has raised to complement the work of the NHS is outstanding, and her work provides a beacon of hope for so many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. She is thoroughly deserving of this Points of Light award.”
Veronica said: I am truly humbled but delighted to be given this award which will highlight ladies fighting breast cancer charity to the local community in the Midlands and I thank everyone who has helped me in anyway in the last 15 years to make a difference to the lives of those affected by cancer and together we will continue to raise awareness in our community as early detection saves lives.