The Game Changers

Donna Fraser: Changing the narrative about breast cancer

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Episode notes

Donna Fraser is a 4-time Olympian who now specialises in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in sport. 

Donna won medals at 400m at World and European Championships and the Commonwealth Games and reluctantly retired from Athletics in 2009 after a breast cancer diagnosis.

She went on to become UK Athletics’ first Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead, working to champion ethnically diverse communities and inclusivity at all levels of the sport.  Following a role as D&I Lead for Birmingham 2022, Donna was appointed as the first director of equality, diversity and inclusion for the Professional Cricketers' Association.

An incredible sportswoman who’s gone on to deliver such powerful work around inclusion it’s little wonder that Donna was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List.

We talk about Donna’s incredible career & she reflects on being part of one of the greatest events in Olympic history, when Cathy Freeman won the 400m in Sydney 2000, why talking openly about her breast cancer diagnosis was so important and what more needs to change to ensure sport is inclusive for all. 

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here.

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production