Clare Murray hopes to help others beat cancer

Clare was working for law firm Fox Williams six years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her successful fight against the condition inspired her to re-examine her career, and she set up her own firm in One Canada Square soon after her recovery.

The Limehouse resident said: "Firstly, you're hit by the trauma of it all. It's just devastating for you and your family. No one knows what's going to be involved, and the treatment can be quite hard.

"I went through two rounds of operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"I was working in the City at the time. I only planned to take a few months off. Some people work through their chemotherapy but I found I was physically, mentally and emotionally knocked sideways.

"I had an amazing consultant called Hisham Hamed, who told me it was in its early stages, and I wasn't going to die from it. I was going to have a difficult six to nine months of treatment, but I'd get over it and it would just become part of my life experience.

"Something like that helps you work out exactly what you do and don't want to do with your life. I realised what I really wanted was to set up a specialist employment firm and I set up a business here."

Clare made her way down from the tower to raise awareness of the work of Cancer Research UK, which will be turning Canary Wharf pink on October 8 in a bid to raise £10,000. The charity will have a stand in Jubilee Place, and plans to lure shoppers over with the promise of cupcakes, pink Champagne and prizes.

Clare said: "This organisation saves lives. By funding the research, it gives hope. But we're only part of the way through the story. There are still women out there who aren't as lucky as me and we need to continue the funding."

Cancer Research is keen to attract visitors to its stall in the Jubilee Place mall on Thursday with special treats from Fortnum and Mason and Beas of Bloomsbury.

Men's clothing store TM Lewin has donated a tailored suit for a prize draw, while a £100 cut and colour from Sean Hanna Hairdressers, a pink Champagne and truffle hamper from Charbonnel et Walker, and a ladies necklace from LK Bennett are also on offer.

Prize draw tickets cost £5 each, and can be purchased on the day or at donatetobreastcancer.org/canarywharf