A woman who named her cancer "Brian" and took him on a pub crawl, is encouraging people to ditch the drink in January to raise charity cash.
It was two years ago that party-mad Sarah Hamblin, from Melton, spotted an unsightly lump when she put on fishnet tights to go out. Doctors agreed to remove it for cosmetic reasons but within weeks she was being wheeled into surgery not knowing whether or not she would lose her leg.
The 29-year-old had been diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma which doctors feared might have spread to her bone.
Sarah said: "I used to be a party animal to the extent that, when I was diagnosed with cancer, my friends drew a smiley face on my tumour, called him Brian and took him on a pub crawl downing tequila shots."
But she will be swapping the tequila for tea throughout January as part of Cancer Research UK's New Year fundraising campaign, Dryathlon.
Sarah, whose company Abstract Audio UK supplies sound systems for events, said: "Thanks to research I've been able to get back on a horse for the first time since I was diagnosed.
"There were times when I wished I'd lost my leg because the treatment was so painful and debilitating.
"But it's given me the courage to change my life for the better because I realise that you only live once."
Sarah had the tennis-ball sized tumour removed from her left shin in October 2012.
Cosmetic surgery to patch up the leg involved taking muscle and fat from both her thighs before she underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy to stop any potential spread.
Then, during her last week of radiotherapy, Sarah was given the shock news that her mum had mouth cancer.
She said: "I had seven months off work to recover but, harder than my own experience, was seeing mum go through treatment.
"She's come through it but the whole experience has really changed my outlook on life. It puts everything into perspective."
Sarah took part in Dryathlon for the first time last year.
She said: "I found it really hard
but I stuck with it and it inspired me to stop smoking.
"I know how hard people had to work to help save my life and get me back to normal so I don't ever want to put them in that position again."
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokesman for Leicestershire, said: "We're thrilled that Sarah is pledging her support for our Dryathlon campaign again this year.
"We hope her incredible story will inspire others in the region to take part."
People can register to take part as individuals or set up a team and get their friends, colleagues or relatives involved to motivate each other along the way.
To sponsor Sarah visit www.justgiving.com/sarahhamblindryathlete2015/ or text STIX80 £2 to 70070
To sign up for Dryathlon in January, visit www.dryathlon.org
