THEY say it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

But turn the clock back 12 months and Char Parrack would have told you a very different story.

Exactly one year ago the new mum was starting chemotherapy after receiving the devastating news she had triple negative breast cancer when doctors found a tumour in her right breast, hiding behind a blocked milk duct.

Instead of enjoying their first proper Christmas as a family with baby Luca, she was bedridden, fatigued and watching her hair begin to fall out.

But one year on Char is looking forward to a full-on family celebration after successfully finishing treatment, having her “killer boobie” removed and finding herself in remission.

She’s also helped to launch Cancer Research UK’s ‘Right Now’ campaign and by telling her story Char is hoping to draw attention to the impact cancer research has had on her own life – giving her more precious time with the people she loves this festive season

The nationwide campaign includes a series of powerful and emotive TV ads which feature real patients who have had cancer treatment within the last few years, followed up by current home video showing how research has helped them get back to enjoying life with their loved ones.

From the moment she was diagnosed, Char was determined to stay positive.

She said: “The first question I asked when they told me I had cancer was 'Will I see me baby boy grow up?' They said yes and I'm holding them to that.

“Since then I have always tried to embrace my situation and try to find the positives and I have done so with a smile on my face.

“Christmas didn’t really happen for us last year. I had a mouth full of ulcers and spent the day in bed with Luca who also woke up with a temperature.

“I saw in the New Year with thinning hair on my head and a slightly lumpy right breast. Overall I was lucky in that I didn’t suffer too much from the treatment - and there’s only so much resting you can do when you have a one-year-old running around.”

After finishing chemo Char, who works in retail, had a mastectomy and reconstruction at Bournemouth Hospital – but not before she hosted a ‘bye bye boobie party’ with friends and family which including smashing up a boob pinata and games of ‘bra pong’.

Within a week of the surgery she was back on her feet and joined friends and family on Bournemouth seafront for the annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life and managed to walk the 5k route and raise £2,625 to fund research.

Charlene is also part of the PARTNER clinical trial, supported by Cancer Research UK, which is looking at whether combining chemotherapy with a targeted drug called olaparib before surgery against the current treatment of chemotherapy on its own for women with certain types of breast cancer.

Char, who lives in Bournemouth with her husband, added: “Some good has to come from all of this. I wanted to do my part to help future triple negative warriors and taking part in a clinical trial is important to me, in the hope it brings new and kinder treatments.”

“It’s been a life-changing 12 months. ‘Normal’ has gone and I am now different in myself, but as a family we have come out the other side stronger for it. Now I am more determined to do things, to make memories and have fun and I am moving forward and not looking back.

“This Christmas will be very different and I can’t wait – all the family will be together around the table. It will be a real celebration.”

Huge strides have already been made towards beating breast cancer. In the 1970’s four in 10 women survived the disease for 10 years or more, now it is eight in 10.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Dorset, said: “We are so grateful to Char for sharing her cancer journey.

“Our ‘Right Now’ campaign aims to show both the realities of the disease and the positive impact research and improved treatments can have on people’s lives.

“Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West of England. That’s why we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone. We hope our new campaign will inspire people to take action, right now, and play their part in beating cancer.”