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Mar 11 2012
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IT is the fashion show which celebrates the strength and courage of those who have suffered from breast cancer.
Over the past nine years, 162 models have inspired the nation by taking part in Breast Cancer Care's Scottish Fashion show – supported by the Sunday Mail – to prove how fabulous you can look despite a breast cancer diagnosis.
Now the search has been launched for 20 new models willing to proudly walk on to the catwalk for this year's spectacular 10th show.
Breast Cancer Care and the Sunday Mail are looking for willing women and men who have had, or are living with, breast cancer to become models at this year's glam event.
Those selected will be pampered by our professional styling and make-up team before being sent down the catwalk at lunchtime and gala dinner fundraising shows being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on September 27.
To mark the 10th anniversary, our stars will be joined on the catwalk by one model from each of the past nine years.
Here, each of the nine selected past models recall why they took part in a previous show – and why they can't wait to return to this year's special event.
Retired taxi driver Gordon, who underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed in 2008, only went to his GP after spotting blood on the bedsheets.
Gordon, from Carntyne, Glasgow, said: "Very few people seem to know that men can get breast cancer.
"I never imagined I could be suffering from breast cancer but I was.
"Now I am happy to do whatever it takes to raise awareness – including getting dressed up and going down a catwalk.
"It's a great show and I hope other men who have had breast cancer will put themselves forward to take part."
When mum-of-two Claire took to the catwalk, she had her best friend Leona Levey beside her.
The two friends, who met at college, were going through breast cancer together.
But while Claire, from Edinburgh, recovered fully after treatment, mum-of-two Leona passed away in January 2009.
Claire, who has also lost her mum and younger sister to cancer, said: "it was Leona who had heard about the fashion show and she thought it would be good fun to do it together.
"When I first heard about the 10th show, I'll admit I did wonder whether I should do it or not, as I know getting on that stage without Leona will be very hard.
"But I know Leona would have jumped at the chance – and she would have wanted me to do it. so I'm getting back on the catwalk for both of us."
When Ann, from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, volunteered to model in the first Breast Cancer Care show, she hoped she might inspire other women with the disease.
Twenty years on from beating the disease herself, Ann is a volunteer for the charity and gives hope to other women by telling her story.
She is honoured to be returning as a model in the charity's 10th annual show.
Ann said: "This show gives inspiration to other women who have been affected by breast cancer."
Dawn, from Aberdeen, was just 36 when doctors gave her the bad news but she rushed home to host a fancy dress party for her daughter Melissa's seventh birthday.
Dawn said: "it was very surreal for me. But for Melissa, the party was totally normal and fun and just how it should have been.
"I thought breast cancer was something that older women got and I was afraid. I was the youngest person I had ever heard of with breast cancer.
"This show helps to turn a negative experience into a positive one. I can't wait to get back on stage and do it all again."
Hairdresser Mandy, from Muirhead, near Glasgow, was just 27 when she was diagnosed.
Before the show, she had already undergone a mastectomy, two bouts of chemotherapy and developed secondary cancer.
Incredibly, Mandy was also pregnant when she appeared on the catwalk – despite being told the treatment would leave her infertile.
Mandy made medical history when she became the first UK woman to give birth while on long-term treatment with the breast cancer "wonder drug" Herceptin. Her daughter Holly is now a happy six-year-old.
Mandy, who wrote the book Why Not me?: the Battle For my Life And my Baby, said: "It's been nearly 11 years since I was diagnosed and I am so lucky. I've got a lovely husband and daughter and I really enjoy my life."
Accounts manager Kim, from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, was diagnosed at 29.
She said: "At the time, I was a single mum with two children and they were my inspiration.
"I never thought I was going to die and never allowed myself to be anything but positive."
Kim, who underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to beat the disease, said: "Taking part in the 2010 show was my way of marking 10 years since I was diagnosed and turning that negative into a positive.
"I was nervous backstage but when I stepped out and saw everyone clapping and cheering, it was one of the best moments of my life.
"so I am delighted to get the chance to do it all again in this special show."
As Deborah stood backstage at last year's catwalk show, she remembers looking along the line of women standing beside her and feeling a huge weight lift off her shoulders.
Deborah, a paralegal from Ayr, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2010, said: "At the time, I had finished my treatment almost a year before but I was finding it hard to get 'normal' back.
"I remember looking at all those other amazing women about to take part in the show and feeling really inspired by them.
"some of those ladies had been diagnosed a long time ago and had gone on to do amazing things. others had secondary cancer but were living with it – and by that I mean really living their lives.
"I realised then that I have a lot of life still to live."
Linda, who lives near Beith, Ayrshire, loved appearing in the show so much that she has attended the event every year since.
Diagnosed in 2003, she said: "my daughter Kirsty was just four when I was diagnosed with cancer and I remember wondering if I would be there to see her start school.
"She was eight when I took part in the fashion show and I remember looking down from that stage at all my family and friends and just feeling on top of the world.
"Now Kirsty is 13 and I have been to all the lunchtime shows since my own one.
"it is always a really emotional day – but still a fantastic celebration."
When dental nurse practice manager Gail, from Mull of Kintyre, steps on to the catwalk again, it will mark 10 years since her diagnosis.
The mum-of two found out she had cancer just months after losing her sister Leonora to the disease.
She said: "my GP thought I should go for a mammogram because of my sister.
"If it hadn't been for Leonora, I would never have gone for the test – so really she saved my life."
Gail stepped on to the catwalk after undergoing successful treatment to beat the disease.
She said: "I remember what a boost to my confidence the show gave me and I made so many great friends.
"I'd encourage anyone who has had breast cancer to be a model."
Sign up to join our models
Want to join the 10th anniversary show go to www.breastcancercare.org.uk/applytomodel. Closing date is March 30.
For more info contact breast cancer care on 0141 353 8330 or log onto www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Breast Cancer Care fashion show supermodels return to the catwalk
