Megan Walker and her friend Lesley Ross will be taking on the challenge following Lesley’s thyroid cancer diagnosis in October last year.
Megan and Lesley are taking in the challenges next month (Image: Supplied)
Two Glasgow best pals are set to take on a mammoth 24-hour charity challenge following a devastating cancer diagnosis. Megan Walker and her friend Lesley Ross will be taking on ‘Nailathon 2.0’ following Lesley’s thyroid cancer diagnosis last year.
Lesley was alarmed after feeling a lump in her neck, which she described as “being like an Adam’s Apple” leading her to book an appointment with her GP. She was put on a waiting list for further tests, but a second lump then appeared.
She was then fast-tracked for further tests around five months after first discovering the lump. After receiving a biopsy in January 2025, Lesley was told in July that the results were inconclusive and that half of her thyroid would need to be removed.
Following the surgery in August, Lesley was eventually told in October that she had papillary thyroid carcinoma – a common and slow-growing form of the disease. Speaking with Glasgow Live, the nail technician from the city’s east end said she originally feared for her life after the diagnosis.
Lesley feared for her life following her diagnosis(Image: Supplied)
The 26-year-old said: “When you hear that word, you instantly think nail in the coffin.
“I knew as soon as I got the first surgery that I had cancer.
“Doctors told me it was a ‘better’ cancer to have, but you still have to go through the treatments and surgery, the constant needles in your arms and the worry.
“It’s changed who I am as a person. I’m trying really hard.
“I totally get that there are worse cancers, but you still feel the same way when you get told you have cancer. You think that you’re done.
“I was such a fit and healthy person, up from 5am to 10pm – I’ve gone from that to being bedbound for months.”
Since October, Lesley has undergone treatment for the cancer, which has included surgery to totally remove her thyroid, as well as radioactive iodine therapy to try and eliminate the cancer.
Doctors say Lesley is responding well, however, she will also be on medication for the rest of her life following the removal of her thyroid.
Lesley was diagnosed last October(Image: Supplied)
She is hoping to get more results ahead of both the nailathon, which will see the pair carrying out nail appointments for 24-hours, and Race for Life – something she is preparing for alongside Megan, who she says has been her biggest rock through her cancer battle.
Lesley added: “I’m petrified to be doing nails for 24 hours, but we’re buzzing and we’ll be doing the 10km Race for Life two Sundays later.
“My body’s tested me, so I’m going to test it back.
“I’ve got such a supportive friend in Megan – she’s amazing in every way.
“The day I found out I had cancer, she cancelled all her clients to see and support me.
“Every rollercoaster of emotion that I’ve gone through, she’s done it with me. She’s just the best.”
It will be the second year that Megan takes on both the challenges, after completing both last year in memory of her late gran, Janice White, who also died of cancer.
They will be raising money for both The Beatson and Cancer Research UK.
The best pals are looking forward to the challenge(Image: Supplied)
Megan said: “We thought it would be a good wee idea. It really helps to raise awareness and we were both shocked at her diagnosis.
“It’s a fun way to raise awareness and money. Lesley has gone back to work full-time and it’s a nice thing to do for her. We’ll probably be absolutely shattered after it.
“We are besties and we always support each other. She gives me so much motivation when I need it – I just love her.”
The nailathon will take place at Megan’s salon – Beautsy, – on Friday, May 1. You can also donate to their Just Giving page online here.