There’s nothing like playing the game you love with your siblings. Bay FC Defender Jen Beattie began playing soccer at around nine-years-old in Glasgow, Scotland. After making her senior debut for Queen’s Park FC at age 15 in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, she made her debut for her country two years later.
In 2024, Beattie transferred to the Bay from Arsenal, where she had a life-changing experience.
Most women regularly check their breasts for lumps and hope that it’s nothing serious. In 2020, Beattie felt a lump and went to the doctors to get it checked out. What came next was a biopsy, then a diagnosis – the lump was cancerous.
“I was 29 with no family history when I was diagnosed, and it was a brand-new experience,” Beattie said. “And with that said, a really scary one.” Beattie went through treatment at Arsenal where the staff took great care of her, especially Club Doctor Jo Price.
“She was all over my appointments, taking care of everything, and after she would even put together an email for all my family letting them know exactly what was going on, because they couldn’t be with me,” Beattie said in an interview with The Players’ Tribune.
“I remember training and playing throughout the whole process. Surgery was what obviously took me off,” Beattie said.
While driving home for Christmas after receiving her last radiotherapy treatment, “that was just the best feeling,” Beattie said. Beattie was now cancer-free.
She continues to share her story to educate and advocate the importance of getting a mammogram.
“I remember a specific conversation I had with my brother and sister that we kind of made a pact that whenever I got through it; I would use my voice. I would use the platform to try and help other people and raise awareness,” Beattie said. “My brother and sister were definitely the ones who motivated me and inspired me to give back.”
Since moving to the Bay Area, Beattie has continued to be active in the community.
See how Beattie continues to raise awareness in the Bay Area here:
“Early detections saves lives. I think that’s the number one thing for me, don’t be overwhelmed or scared about what a mammogram looks like. That was the biggest thing for me,” Beattie said at the Bay Area Ignite the Fight Gala 2024 in August.
“It’s a part of life and the more we talk about it and understand it and realize it doesn’t need to be as overwhelming. It can be okay. It’s so much better to just go and get something checked and it’ll be okay in the long term,” Beattie added.
Beattie is nominated for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award presented by Nationwide for her work with breast cancer awareness and prevention. For more about Beattie’s work with Local non-profit Pink Ribbon Good – and to learn how to cast your vote – visit here.
