Many people lacing up their shoes for next month’s Pink Ribbonwalk for Breast Cancer Care will have a personal reason for doing so.

But Madeline Van Der Wal, who will be walking at the Blenheim Palace for the second time in May, has at least four.

Ms Van Der Wal, 65, from Cowley, has had her life touched by cancer several times over the decades, and knows more then most the importance of funding research into the disease.

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer herself in the 1980s. At the time the AIDS scare was in full swing, so she refused a blood transfusion and was left extremely weak. Fortunately, the illness never returned.

She said: “We have had cancer in the family and among family friends. It’s horrific when doctors across a table say you have cancer. You go through different stages: shock, looking at your options, then you get angry and then you deal with it.

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“But I’ve come through it and it makes you look at life differently.”

She has also lost two cousins, Hemmo and Tony Van Delden, the latter only about three years ago. Both began with a mole that was not properly diagnosed, after which the disease spread.

But the main reason Ms Van Der Wal, who runs a mortgage and financial advice company from home, is walking is her good friend Ruth Cooper. The pair met about 15 years ago through work.

Ms Cooper, 40, from Abingdon, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and has since undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a mastectomy and – just eight weeks ago – reconstructive surgery.

Despite the huge operation, she was up and dancing at her 40th birthday celebration in February.

She said: “It’s very tough. Fortunately I had my family and friends around me. But in my 30s I had cancer, and now I’m in a new decade, and can hopefully draw a line under it. It’s brilliant Madeline is walking. I’m hoping to be there on the day.”

In 2013 Ms Van Der Wal completed the 10-mile Pink Ribbonwalk route with Ms Cooper’s then-husband Steve.

This year she will be walking with friend Maggie Smith, 39, who works at Oxford City College and is also from Cowley. The pair have been training on Saturdays.

Ms Van Der Wal said: “A walking buddy is amazing. When you get to the bottom of Blenheim Estate and have to do that last little bit it’s hard, but you’ve got to do it.

“They don’t put pressure on you to finish first. Everybody gets an equal cheer when they get to the end.

“It took three to four hours last time and I had a lot of people waiting at the other end. I saw family and friends, which made it feel worthwhile.”

Apart from walking, Ms Van Der Wal is kept from serious exercise by arthritis, but goes jive dancing with partner Michel Grossnickel, 55, on Thursdays.

She also has two grown-up children, Louise, 14, who lives in Didcot, and Emmelina, 37, near Burford.

Ms Van Der Wal recalled that at the time she was ill herself, friends and family were the lifeline that kept her going. She said: “People hear the big C-word and think there’s no hope. But I can’t say enough about the support from all of the people who encourage you to get through it.”

To sponsor Ms Van Der Wal's walk ahead of the walk on Saturday, May 9, visit justgiving.com/PRW15-Madeline