FAMILY
Brighter days are coming
Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors and remembering those no longer with us, a very special calendar has been produced by two local ladies to capture the real-life stories behind people in our area who have been affected by cancer.
Thanks to the bravery of 12 willing participants, each with a different story to tell, friends Gail Baker and Donna Mansell have produced an inspirational calendar to raise money for Weston Park Cancer Charity; a charity which has supported all of the people included throughout their own journeys. From doting young mums to madly in-love couples, heart- warming pet owners to sisters with an unbreakable bond - each page in the calendar illustrates everyday family life through stunning, natural images in a bid to highlight how cancer doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone. But more importantly, it proves exactly what cancer cannot do. It cannot cripple love, shatter hope, silence courage or diminish faith. But it can be beaten. As patrons of Weston Park Cancer Charity, Gail and her husband Darren have been organising annual balls in aid of the charity since 2006 having been inspired by their own family’s experience at the hospital. Following Darren’s father, John’s, battle with stomach cancer, where he was treated at Weston Park, Gail organised a surprise 40th birthday party for Darren and, instead of gifts, asked guests to donate to the charity which supported her father-in-law during his final weeks.
Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, they raised
over £1,000 for the charity which kick-started the idea of hosting an annual ball; since 2006, the couple have raised over £480,000 for the charity. And the 2019 calendar is the latest way the pair are pledging their support. With a passion for photography, Donna initially approached the idea of a calendar and has been instrumental in organising the various shoots. As an accounts manager at HSBC, her efforts don’t just stay behind the lens; she has also gained the financial backing of her bosses to match all money raised from calendar sales pound for pound.
The calendar took just a couple of months to produce and was completed by Rotherham-based Sprint Printers. It was launched at this year’s 13th annual ball in October at the English Institute of Sport with the celebrity backing of singer Peter Andre whose brother passed away from kidney cancer in 2012.
As our region’s only specialist cancer hospital and home to the area’s only radiotherapy department, Weston Park is recognised internationally for its continued fight against cancer. To help the hospital care for the thousands of patients who visit each year and improve the lives of those living with cancer, the medical team are supported by Weston Park Cancer Charity which avidly raises over £2million each year to fund vital treatment and research.
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Just like the moon, people shine in times of darkness and the calendar project was organised to say thanks to the staff who helped each and every one of the people involved find light at the end of the tunnel. Together, the 11 ladies and one gentleman shared stories and formed friendships as they sought to get their own messages and experiences across. For most of the people involved, their photos show them happy and smiling with the family who have also witnessed the emotional and physical pain cancer can bring. Starting and ending the calendar are a daughter and father who have shared the ups and downs of their journeys together.
Dennis
trials and chemotherapy which controls her advanced secondary, or metasatic, breast cancer.
Gaye Gaye, the face of May,
embraces her husband and young son with new hope for seeing her boy grow up as she works towards being five years all clear of stage two oestrogen receptive breast cancer following two mastectomies within 18 months of each other.
Liz
Jane As the only man involved, Mr
December, Dennis, says thanks to the Weston Park staff who supported him five years ago; while his daughter, January’s Jane, thanks those who help her continue to enjoy life through the clinical
While June’s photos feature animal lover, Liz, who shares the spotlight with her two horses that have kept her on track since being diagnosed with mucinous breast cancer just last November. Another four-legged friend features on July’s images as Amanda celebrates her new outlook on life surrounded by her husband, two children and family pooch. Although originally treated for ductal carcinoma in situ in her right breast – the earliest possible form of breast cancer – Amanda found a second lump in her other breast
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