Former Emmerdale star Leah Bracknell has said she is "terribly optimistic" after fans of the soap and other well-wishers raised over £55,000 for her to receive cutting edge treatment in Germany for terminal lung cancer.
Mother-of-two Bracknell, who played Zoe Tate in the ITV show from 1989 to 2005, was recently diagnosed "completely out of the blue" with stage four lung cancer.
The 52-year-old's partner, Jez Hughes, set up an online fundraising campaign last week to send her for treatment in Germany and more than 2,800 donations were made in a matter of days.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, the actress and yoga teacher said she was "completely staggered" that the money had been raised in less than a week.
"I also want to stress that I am one person," she continued. "I only went down this route because I really had to, but I am one of lots of people [fighting illness].
"If you don't want to give to my page but have £5 to spare, find another page and see if there is a story that resonates."
Thank you So So much. A heartful of gratitude. Totally overwhelmed by your messages of love & support #glasshalffull pic.twitter.com/6qTc5hLrGW
— Leah Bracknell (@LeahBracknell) October 10, 2016
Bracknell told presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that "her response was anger" when she was told that her treatment in the UK would be palliative.
"It's still my life and it's about taking control as much as you can of the situation," she continued.
"I'm terribly optimistic because I don't see any other way to be."
Bracknell spoke of the importance of mindfulness for her but added that "there are moments when the reality sinks in". She advised her fellow cancer patients to "be pro-active, research and ask questions".
"I'm thinking of starting a blog as I have heard from so many people and it's interesting the advice that keeps cropping up," she said.
Before Bracknell's cancer diagnosis, it was thought that she had a heart problem.
"I literally started to feel a little bit breathless and it got worse. I literally couldn't get up the stairs. Then everything swirled.
"I had been running around happy as Larry and felt fine.
"I haven't smoked in decades. I'm pretty much vegetarian and I don't drink that much. It came completely out of the blue."
