Beth Mead: Honoring Her Mother's Legacy Through Football and Cancer Awareness
England and Arsenal star Beth Mead opens up about her late mother's battle with cancer, her recovery from injury, and her commitment to raising awareness for cervical and ovarian cancer prevention.
Beth Mead, the renowned Arsenal and England winger, is no stranger to overcoming adversity. Amid her personal and professional challenges, Mead has found strength in honoring her late mother, June, who passed away from cancer in January 2023. June's diagnosis in 2021 coincided with one of Mead’s most successful years in football, including her standout performance at Euro 2022, where she was named best player and top scorer.
A Personal Mission for Awareness
Mead is now channeling her grief into action, supporting a public health campaign aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2040. "My mum passed away from ovarian cancer, which was her primary cancer, but she also had cervical cancer," Mead explained. "It's a treatable cancer, but people don't get checked enough. Hopefully, with this campaign, we can make a real difference."
Her mother’s battle has profoundly impacted her perspective on life. "I came home after my ACL surgery and spent a precious month with my mum," Mead shared. "Ultimately, I had an injury I could come back from. My mum didn’t. It changed how I looked at life."
Football and Advocacy Collide
The 'Defend Your Tomorrow' campaign, which aims to raise awareness about cervical cancer prevention, will be highlighted during the upcoming north London derby. Over 50,000 fans are expected at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal Women take on Tottenham Hotspur. The match, broadcast live on the BBC, will serve as a platform to promote cervical screening and the HPV vaccine as part of NHS England’s goal to eradicate cervical cancer within the next 15 years.
Mead also spoke about the evolving rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs in women’s football. "The history isn’t quite there, but the feistiness and competitiveness are starting to build," she said. "The men’s games have had that history for a long time, and now we’re trying to build our own."
Looking Ahead
With Arsenal currently third in the Women’s Super League, Mead remains focused on securing a Champions League spot. "Right now, that is our ultimate goal," she stated. As she continues to excel on the pitch, Mead’s dedication to honoring her mother’s legacy off it serves as an inspiration to fans and athletes alike.
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