Cancer affects at least one in three people - but Kathy Cummings was hit twice by the disease in just over a year.

The double blow came when she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January 1999. The following February, the Bradford grandmother found a lump in her breast which turned out to be cancerous.

But now Kathy, who lives at Leeds Road, Eccleshill, is free from the disease and making the most of every minute.

At one stage, the keen fell walker never thought she would walk again, but now she has organised a ten-mile hike on July 28 in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Cancer Research Appeal from Apperley Bridge to Kirkstall Forge in Leeds and back.

She and her twin sister Sheila Holbrey will be joined by their respective husbands William and Alan. They are pictured stepping out together.

The problems started when Kathy found a lump in her stomach. She had a hysterectomy and the cancer was found. The cancerous cells were then removed and no further treatment was needed. But the following year she discovered a lump in her breast which was found to be cancer. In July she had a mastectomy and a lymph gland removed after the disease spread into her lymph nodes.

"Now I just appreciate every day and everything in life. I feel sometimes I just want to take on the world," she said.

She has had the all-clear from doctors and only has to return to hospital for check-ups. Following her experiences, Kathy started fundraising for the Bradford Can...Appeal, which aims to raise £1m for cancer research at Bradford University and Bradford Royal Infirmary. When that target is reached, it will trigger another £5m funding from Cancer Research UK.

The total currently tops £400,000.