Di Grant

Music loving sports fan, mildly addicted to coffee. Harsh critic of parsnips & marzipan. Metastatic Breast Cancer warrior and mental health advocate

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

So it’s October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As most of you know eight years ago, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Rich and I heard the words. Stage 4. Incurable. 2 Years.

Miraculously, I’m still here. Those extra six years have meant everything.

Time with Richard. Watching Loren and Becky marry Kristian and Chris and build their lives. Time with Ella and Ben, my grandchildren, my mum, my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Time with good friends. Travelling, laughing, cuddling my dogs and enjoying thousands of wonderfully ordinary days.

Eight years of treatment comes at a cost. I live with fatigue, neuropathy and other side effects from the drugs keeping my cancer under control……but I’m alive. I’ll take that trade every single time.

That’s why I have mixed feelings about everything turning pink in October. We don’t need more awareness. We need research.

My dad and I were diagnosed with cancer within two weeks of each other. He had stage 4 colon cancer and died just 18 months later. I got more time. My dad didn’t.

That’s why, for me, this isn’t only about breast cancer. It’s about research into every cancer.

The treatments keeping me alive exist because research was funded, scientists kept working and clinical trials happened.

So buy pink if the money is genuinely funding research. If it isn’t, and you want to do something this October, donate directly to a cancer research organisation of your choice.

Fund the science. Fund the next breakthrough. Give more people the thing that matters most…..time. ❤️

#MetastaticBreastCancer #Stage4BreastCancer #MBC #LivingWithCancer #CancerResearch #FundCancerResearch #CancerResearchSavesLives

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@jamestutt I have no words…..incredible ❤️

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@uk_harty @bearwoodlakes Happy Birthday Dad ❤️ Miss you every single day xx

[James Tutt @jamestutt]

More here - https://t.co/gPja5LEJIO

[Clare Barclay @clarebarclay]

Come as you are and do what you love. @microsoftUk We're hiring!

https://t.co/oJPM5HMU6Q

#microsoftuk #microsoftadvocate #msftcareers #HIRINGNOW

[Clare Barclay @clarebarclay]

The stage is set! I am excited to welcome our customers and partners both in person and online as well as a range of incredible speakers to Microsoft Envision UK today, including @tonydanker @garethsouthgate #MSEnvision #microsoftuk

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

Well done Fullerians, what a way to end the season!

[Fullerians RFC @FulleriansRFC]

Hey @QueensSch @QueensSch_PE did you hear about the fantastic Fullerians U16’s cup win last weekend featuring Cam, Max and Stefan!
They’ve had a cracking season and won a thrilling encounter to win the Herts Rugby Plate 👏👏👏

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@jamestutt Have a wonderful time!

[Clare Barclay @clarebarclay]

I was thrilled to welcome the Chancellor of the Exchequer @RishiSunak to @MicrosoftUK today. We heard from an inspiring panel of apprentices, celebrating their outstanding work and career journey.

https://t.co/wlC9Z8FM9b

[Catherine Naughton @catherinenaugh]

We need each other- government, big business and persons with disabilities. This is about future proofing society for everyone- workplaces, transport, communication. Leadership is crucial- in government and business #EuropeanAccessibilitySummit @CarolineBinc @hminto

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

Recognise anyone? Whilst it’s a sensitive subject, change will only happen when we start to talk about it #workwithcancer

[Working With Cancer 💙 @WorkWithCancer]

How many of these people have advanced cancer & are still working?

Answer: All of them

Read some of the experiences from this group who've kindly shared their stories with us to help us highlight that you can have cancer and work https://t.co/UF7zqB9fo3

#WorkWithCancer

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

Accessible job search site Evenbreak are making novel use of Microsoft technologies to help drive inclusivity and collaboration #DigitalInclusion #DisabilityConfident #inclusivity https://t.co/LupDyEvAM6 #MSFTAdvocate

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@ChelleMel47 @AnneWNolan @Martina @LindaNolan_ @reallorraine @nicolajaneuk @RoyceLingerie Hope you get the pain under control soon @ChelleMel47 Love the wigs!! 💕 xx

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

Cancer won’t wait for the pandemic to pass, and neither can UK Governments. I stand with #OneCancerVoice and @BreastCancerNow to urge Governments in all 4 nations to put cancer patients at the centre of pandemic recovery plans

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@jamestutt That actually made me laugh out loud this morning!

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

Lovely walk this morning around Dinton with @RichGrant12 to start our long weekend! Little celebration for us this weekend as we were told my scans came back clear - no evidence of active disease 🥂#breastcancer #celebration

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@ChelleMel47 @KarenDeal20 @Martina @reallorraine @midgeure1 @colinmcfarlane Love the new hair cut, and the lippy is a winner! Sending you big hugs xx

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

@SkyJacquie I recognise that bundle of joy, I’m up to 23 a day!

[Di Grant @Di_Hart]

I’ve always been hugely proud to work @MicrosoftUK but this just topped it off for me ❤️

[Clare Barclay @clarebarclay]

A Microsoft AI tool is helping to speed up cancer treatment – and Addenbrooke’s will be the first hospital in the world to use it https://t.co/hk4NrDg1F3

[James Clifford @_JamesClifford]

❤️💙💚 Today @EuropeanSP #ESPC20 @BitTitan is giving away FREE USB Hot Pink Charger cables in support of @BreastCancerNow - attendees you can claim your free cable from myself today at the event. Short Video here: https://t.co/8wyIOngyj9 ❤️💙💚@Karuana thank you!