Breast Cancer Now Fashion Fundraiser
Breast Cancer Now Fashion Fundraiser
A Wimbledon Village event has raised thousands for Breast Cancer Now, thanks to generous locals and businesses, and a huge cheque was presented to the charity outside Boho in June.
By Cathryn O’Hare
In April the Dog & Fox rolled out the pink carpet for the Boho and Rebalance Me Fashion Show in aid of Breast Cancer Now. Over 120 guests enjoyed drinks and nibbles in The Coach House which had been transformed into a pink paradise festooned with balloons, flowers and banners. Guests, many of whom had observed the ‘Wear It Pink’ dress code, including a couple of brave men, settled down to enjoy a fashion show with local models showcasing spring and summer trends hosted by Sara, owner of Boho Beach and Lucy Pattullo, local cancer Pilates specialist and founder of ReBalance Me UK. They were joined by guest speaker, author and podcast host Emma Campbell, aka Limitless Em, whose mission is to live life without limits. Emma is a long-term cancer survivor on ongoing treatment for secondary breast cancer. During her fireside chat with Lucy, Emma spoke movingly about her determination to access happiness and stay joyful whilst navigating her way through the demands of family life, work and cancer as a single mother of four, including triplet teenagers! Whilst acknowledging the fear and trauma of diagnosis, Emma exudes positivity and determination and described how privileged she felt to be participating in the London Marathon just two days later on 26 April, to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now – incredibly her third marathon since diagnosis!
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The medical aspect of cancer was demystified and fears allayed, by the engaging Dr Muireann Kelleher, Clinical Director for Cancer at St George’s NHS Foundation Trust and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre London Parkside Hospital. Dr Kelleher, who specialises in treatment for breast cancer including systemic anti-cancer therapy, SACT, reiterated the importance of seeking help to check out any unusual symptoms or changes, reassuring the audience that whilst the majority of scan results are clear, this is never a waste of time and resources, and for those who will need treatment, early intervention leads to improved outcomes.
Rachael Franklin, Director of Fundraising, Communications and Engagement for Breast Cancer Now and Community Fundraiser, Jade Bolton also came along and explained how the funds raised would be used to support valuable work in the three areas of research, support and awareness. Current research projects involve developing new drugs and projects to understand why breast cancer develops and why it returns in some individuals after many dormant years. Support includes over 11,600 helpline calls, 3,300 nurse appointments and there are active campaigns such as “Touch, Look, Check” to raise awareness on how to spot the signs of breast cancer, and to give NHS England patients access to a life extending drug, Enhertu.
The purpose of the evening was of course to raise funds whilst having lots of fun and gathering useful information along the way, and the event was certainly uplifting with the local community pulling together, donating their time, raffle prizes, goody bag freebies and buying tickets to make it a huge success. Lucy and Sara were able to hand Breast Cancer Now a cheque for £8,254 which will continue to help fund their valuable work.
