THE family of a much-loved and much-missed mum has been through blood, sweat, and tears as 'Team Jo' ran the Manchester Marathon in her honour.
Last year, the Journal reported on the tragic passing of Joanne Binks, a beloved mum-of-two, co-owner of her own business, and Vice President of Tyldesley Swimming & Water Polo Club.
After being diagnosed with Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2017 and given just a 66% chance of surviving the next three years, Jo changed everything that she could to give herself more time with her husband Nick and daughters Lauren and Jenna.
Despite the relief of being given the all-clear in November 2022, Jo's cancer returned in the form of a brain tumour and she sadly passed away last April, aged 49.
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Highlighting the impact that Jo had on others, her family was flooded with tributes and condolences in the weeks following her passing, and they shared her story in the hope of raising awareness of triple negative breast cancer.
Aiming to continue this message of awareness, a 15-strong group of her family and friends spent the past year training for the Manchester Marathon in her memory - despite some having never participated in any competitive race before.
So after a gruelling training regime, 'Team Jo' managed to raise more than £12,000 after completing the marathon on Sunday, April 14, which will be directed towards a charity launched by a woman who Jo met in her cancer journey, the 'Benno's Boobs Foundation'.
Speaking about the event and fundraising, Nick said: "The training and the race was very hard, at least ten of the team hadn't done any competitive running before, but Lauren was instrumental in driving everyone on.
"Lauren had shared videos online about her training and mum's story, which have had more than a million views, so the response we have had, even before the race, has been amazing.
"It's just what Jo would have wanted, to continue raising awareness of the condition and its symptoms, and she would have been so proud of Lauren and the whole team."
As well as keeping Jo's story alive and raising money for her friend's charity, the most important thing for the Binks family has been to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and its lingering symptoms.
Although the signs of Jo's brain tumour became noticeable through severe headaches and migraines, her family says that doctors told her this would be stress or menopause-related, and essentially, nothing to worry about.
It was only after Jo took herself to A&E for an emergency scan that she received her diagnosis, and this became one fight too many for a mum who had already battled cancer and chemotherapy.
As breast cancer screenings are only offered on the NHS between the ages of 50 and 70, the family also wants to see this age limit brought down for any woman who is concerned about lumps or breast changes.
@laurenbinks_ On Sunday the 14th April, we will be running the Manchester Marathon in my Mums honour. All donations will go towards funding research & helping other ladies diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. We promise to keep making you proud Mum 🫂🪽 Link to donate is on my Instagram bio. #breastcancer #triplenegativebc #manchestermarathon #marathon #cancer #teamjo ♬ another love - ✨️
With Lauren's TikTok video reaching more than two million views, this has allowed her mum's story to be shared even further than she could have hoped, and many have commended their "incredible" and "inspiring" achievement online.
"The response on social media has been amazing, and it really gave me something to strive for when I was training", Lauren said.
"I've had messages from people sharing similar stories and have had women saying that they are going to get checked because of my videos, which is all we have wanted to do."
Following an emotional rollercoaster of grief, training, and fundraising, Nick said that it is still "so emotional" to read all the tributes for his late wife, which the family often reads while "smiling through the tears".
- To congratulate 'Team Jo' on their efforts, you can donate to their fundraiser for the 'Benno's Boobs Foundation' here.
- Information about triple negative breast cancer can be found on the Cancer Research UK website here.
- Further information about brain tumours can be found on the NHS website here.
- For more help and support surrounding cancer and bereavement support, you can find Macmillan Cancer Support website here.
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