Sarah Ferguson reflects on her cancer journey while delivering a powerful message

Sarah, Duchess of York, has remained a beacon of resilience, enduring more than 35 years of intense media scrutiny.

Despite relentless challenges and criticism, her commitment to kindness and helping others remains unwavering.

This dedication was on full display during her recent visit to Manchester, where she became a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer, followed by a tour of the iconic Coronation Street set.

The Duchess was inspired to join the charity by Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe) during a behind-the-scenes chat on ITV’s Loose Women.

Moved by Sally’s heartfelt plea for help in securing the future of the National Breast Imaging Academy, Sarah’s response was immediate: “I had to help!”

“I said to Sally, ‘I’m going to Manchester’. Let’s get to work and help you raise the last £600,000. Every little bit helps and that’s why everyone doing all this work here is so important. Fifty-seven thousand People are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and I am so proud and excited to be part of the National Breast Imaging Academy.”

Her visit, in line with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, included a stroll through the center alongside Sally and Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), another star of the soap.

Cancer has cruelly touched the Royal Family this year, with the King and Princess of Wales being diagnosed and treated for their illnesses.

Since the King became Patron of Cancer Research UK in April, and with the Princess sharing her personal experiences, Sarah is convinced that Queen Elizabeth II would be extremely proud of them.

Reflecting on the Queen’s legacy, the Duchess commented: “She truly was the most iconic and legendary woman”, adding: “Her late Majesty was a great believer in kindness and was a leader of understanding and a leader of kindness.

I think having Her Majesty and the Princess of Wales as ambassadors is very important and I’m incredibly pleased that her value system, her integrity and what she stood for in this country is being defended.”

The Duchess has had her fair share of health scares, battling breast and skin cancer, as well as the pain of knowing that her father – Major Ronald Ferguson – also faced two cancer diagnoses in his life.

Her charitable efforts, especially as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 1990, have been inspired by these battles.

Still, Sarah insists that facing cancer wasn’t the hardest obstacle she’s faced. Wanting to be candid about her struggles, she said, “I think my whole life journey has been very interesting.

“My mother chose to live in Argentina when I was 11 years old and it must have been very difficult for the girl to stay. So I think it was a huge trauma and, from then on, it was a trauma of getting to know who Sarah was and trying to get her out of there.”

The Duchess has long been a passionate supporter of her charities and organizations, but it appears she is now shifting focus to embracing her true self.

On her podcast Tea Talks with Sarah Thomson, she spoke about how her battle with the illness led her to start “fighting for Sarah” and putting herself first.

“My mindset going forward is not to be self-complete, but rather self-love,” she stated. “If you don’t hold your boundaries for yourself, who will do it for you? If you don’t hold your authentic truth, who will hold it for you? We need to have more self-love and have the boundaries to take a moment for ourselves.”

The day also came just before his significant 65th birthday on October 15, an occasion that this time has special resonance. “This birthday is something I’m going to really enjoy,” revealed Sarah.

“I didn’t plan anything, but I’m really going to enjoy it. It’s not because I’m so lucky I got it. It’s because 65 years on this planet is quite something.”

“I’m still here. I hit my mother. Mom died at 62. I miss Diana (the late Princess of Wales), she’s not here, my best friend, Carolyn, she’s not here. And so I’m here and I I want to do something, but I don’t know what to do yet… I just know that I don’t want it to be planned. It’s a milestone, but I don’t see it as I see it.

“My achievement is to be even more humble than I was yesterday, to be a better person than I was yesterday, and to be kinder and show more joy.”