Jersey netballer with Stage 4 cancer 'overwhelmed' by charity fundraiser in her name

A Jersey netball player living with cancer says she's "overwhelmed by support" after her teammates held a charity fundraising tournament in her name.

Samantha Kean was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer on Christmas Eve two years ago after emergency surgery for a perforated bowel.

She was just 29 years old at the time.

However, Samantha says netball has played a huge part in her recovery.

On Monday 17 December, her team put on a special tournament to raise funds for local cancer charities which supported Samantha after her diagnosis.

She says: "On court, you don't think about anything else, so I don't think about my cancer diagnosis.

"It's a bit like meditation for me it just means the world to me.

"It's great that I can still play. A lot of people feel limited by their disability or diagnosis, and unfortunately some people aren't able to continue, but I feel very fortunate to."

Her best friend Kim says: "It's been very hard as a friend to sit back and to watch but you've got to be really positive in this situation and we are fighting for her you know absolutely every single say."

Her netball family have also rallied around her.

Teammate Emily adds: "She would come back to netball every Tuesday night and run around the court and just do what she loves and I think that is so inspiring."

Jersey Cancer Relief and Friends of Oncology Jersey will both receive funds from the match which has so far managed to raise over £1,000, who Samantha thanked for their support.

She says: "They help financially and emotionally, they helped with childcare over the summer whilst I was going through treatment.

"I can't thank them enough honestly."

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