A UNIVERSITY lecturer is raising awareness for breast cancer by keeping fit after she was diagnosed with the disease just two days before her birthday.

Amelia Morris, 28, originally from Worcester, has vowed to “keep active” throughout her chemotherapy treatment after finding a lump in her breast.

She was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and has found exercise a way to keep the side affects of her treatment at bay.

She said: “I was really worried I was going to be bed ridden for the whole thing, so I was determined to stay active.

“I have two days where I feel gross after my chemo, but then I bounce back to normal. I just think it’s a really good outlet and has helped me stay sane.”

Dr. Morris said the news came as a complete shock as there was no family history of the illness.

She said: “I literally did not think it was going to be cancer. I was diagnosed on April Fools Day, believe it or not.

“I’m in the middle of my treatment and then I’ll be having a lumpectomy.

“In the meantime I suppose I feel like I want to keep doing things that I enjoy, it doesn’t matter if I don’t have any hair.”

The sociology lecturer, who works in London, has signed up to complete a 26-mile hike with her friends for the cancer charity Macmillan.

She said: “We all grew up in Worcester and have been friends since college.

Some of them have been in my life since I was five years old.

“The two things that have always helped me in life have been exercise and the wonderful people that I have around me, so it feels appropriate to be undergoing this hike with my best friends.”

Dr. Morris said she was inspired by the emotional and financial support the charity gives to cancer sufferers and their families.

She said: “I think it's important to note I’m pretty lucky I have a good job, paid sick pay and am able to buy nice wigs. Not everyone has that opportunity and I’m quite determined to show how much I’m thankful for that.”

The Gower Peninsula Macmillan Mighty Hike will be taking place on July 11 in Wales.

Dr. Morris will be completing the walk with friends from Worcester Jessica Hill, Leah Dennison, Rosie Hazell, Jodie Packwood, Emily Jones and David Parfitt.

The group has also set up a JustGiving page, with a £10,000 goal.

She said: “We’ve done 20 miles together so far, so we’re confident about the actual hike.

“I’ve run a few marathons before and I really want to run the London Marathon next year for cancer research.

“My main goal is to raise awareness and just give back to the charities that help people like me.”

The group has raised more than £6,700.

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