Meet our Breast Cancer Care models

Breast Cancer Care's annual Fashion Show took place this week for a night of fundraising, fashion and most importantly to raise awareness. It also gave three former cancer sufferers the chance to take to the catwalk along with the professionals.

QGossip caught up with the models before their debut. Here they tell us about their experiences and how excited they are to be taking part in the show…

Janice Joyce

 "In June 2004 I was diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering an indentation on my left breast. During July I underwent a lumpectomy and lymph node clearance, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

I experienced some side affects after treatment and found Breast Cancer Care's website extremely helpful. Having had breast cancer it's taught me not to put things off and above all else, I've learnt to be grateful for the love and support of family and friends.
 
Having attended the Fashion Show in previous years and being so inspired by the models taking part, I decided to apply and am so happy and proud to have been chosen. I'm so excited about taking to the catwalk, but I'm sure I'll be quite nervous as the day approaches."

See Janice's video here.

Ivy Brown

"I was first diagnosed with cancer in my left breast in December 2004. Initially, I was advised to have a mastectomy but the tumour was too big to operate on - it was 11cm! I had six months of chemotherapy to reduce the size, but I still had a mastectomy and 25 lymph nodes removed in my arm. I was devastated because I love my breasts, they're my best asset!

It was during my treatment I became involved in a cancer support group and was introduced to a very important lady at Bart's Hospital. It was this lovely lady that inspired me to model lingerie for John Lewis - prosthetics and bras for women who have had mastectomies. 

Last year she put me forward for the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show. I didn’t have high hopes, but I was shortlisted and finally chosen for the show. I'm so overwhelmed to be taking part in the show - I'm just so, so happy.

I just want other cancer sufferers to know they are not alone - there's still life after cancer. Now I'm enjoying my life and I'm on top of the world!"

See Ivy's video here.

Gisela Liardet

"I was first diagnosed with a tumour in one breast in January 2006. Because my husband Tim was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years earlier, I felt quite confident after the initial shock.

My surgeon found, after an MRI scan, three more tumours in the second breast - so after two lumpectomies and radiotherapy I am now on Tamoxifen for at least another 2 - 3 years. I have twice yearly check-ups with the surgeon and the oncologist and I feel great! 
 

I feel very scared and apprehensive doing the catwalk, but since our dress rehearsal I feel quite excited, also because everybody at Breast Cancer Care is so positive, helpful and GOOD, in the old fashioned sense of the word...
 
Tim has organised one table at the fashion show, so I'll have lots of support from family and friends. I might even like modelling to be my fifth career move!
 
I feel positive and lucky to have escaped cancer so far and I am living very much for the day, enjoying family and friends. My husband and BCC have been an inestimable help and support... always there, always encouraging."

See Gisela's video here.

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Tune in on Thursday 15th october for Be Aware Show You Care for all the behind-the-scenes gossip from the Breast Cancer Care show, special-priced items and a fabulous star-studded auction.

Find out more about Breast Cancer Care and their important work on their website. 

Comments

[jayne bowen]

ladies you are all truly inspirational women and men affected by this cruel disease i lost a friend at a young age with a young family and will be supporting qvc event god bless

[Barbara Adams]

I lost my Mum to breast cancer nearly thirty years ago. At that time little treatment was available. No so now. So much more is known about the disease and more treatment and support is available than every before. My thoughts are with you all for your strength and courage. I admire all you ladies. Best wishes to you all.xxxx

[Elizabeth Harvey]

I am looking forward to the breast cancer show on QVC and hope to spend some money for this worthy cause as I have been fighting this illness for a year now.

Having gone through a lumpectomy, lymph node removal, chemo and radio I am now receiving herceptin for a year and tamoxifen for five years. I feel so blessed that, because of all the money raised for research, I have received the best possible treatment and all of it on the NHS.

I have made some good friends in this club that I don't really wish to be a member of and I never cease to be amazed by the resilience of other ladies fighting this.

Enjoy your evening ladies and keep smiling, as I do every day. Liz xx

[Susan]

I lost my best friend to breast cancer 6 years ago, she was only 42 :( i have been a great supporter of the charity ever since. Thanks QVC for your continued support to such a great cause. Take care everyone who has and is affected by the cruel disease.....xxx

[Pam Taylor]

I hope all the people involved in the fashion show had an amazing time and will keep the memories alive for a long time to come. I will be tuning in on Thursday to buy something as a small way of offering support to the vital research work which the money will help fund. I don't always have the words to offer so hopefully my buying lots of things will show the sentiment of what I want to say - God bless you all!!! you are truly amazing xx

[Debbie]

Well done ladies.

My Mum had breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 48 and had to have her lymph nodes removed and a hysterectomy as well as chemo and radiotherapy. The cancer returned in 2002 and she battled for 4 years undergoing various courses of chemo and radiotherapy but sadly lost her battle in Oct 2006. She was the bravest lady I have ever known and never complained about being in pain.

All you ladies are so brave and an inspiration to others. I know how devastating cancer is. xx

[lisa whiston]

An inspiration to us all.

My mum was diagnosed around 5 years ago with breast cancer brought about by treatment for HRT which in itself meant my mum had to have a hysterectomy in her early 40's, she is clear from the breast cancer currently but is now undergoing chemo for non hodgkins lymphoma an apparent side affect of the radiotherapy from the breast cancer treatment, she has been through a hell of alot over the last few years and is battling on, she is a true inspiration to all of us and we are extremely proud of her and she has her new 14 week old granddaughter Erin Fay to drive her on. I have nothing but admiration for those who have to fight cancer and this is truely a worth while cause to support and I'll be watching this thursday. Love to all, Lisa x

[Mrs Shirley Fletcher]

Well done everyone! I also joined this club back in 1990 and had a lumpectomy and radiation plus Tamoxifan.Then last year it was confirmed that I am a carrier of BRAC/2 and was advised to have a bi-lateral mastectomy and ovaries removed which I had done this year.Two of my 3 daughters ara also carriers and are undergoing mastectomies and ovary removal as we speak.The advances with the science into Breast Cancer is going ahead because of all your support.Thank you from all my family for helping us move into the future.xxxxx

[deb]

Anything that raises awareness of breast cancer has to be a good thing. I was 45 and did not have a lump-just a pain and a gut instinct that something was wrong.My GP dismissed it all saying nothing was wrong. A few months later I returned and was told the same thing.I had to insist that I saw a specialist and sure enough I had the dreaded breast cancer.Within a week I had a mastectomy and luckily there was no spread to lymph nodes. I struggled to have any belief in doctors because of my GPs attitude, but now ,a year on, I feel more optimistic. MY point is, if you feel something is not right, insist upon seeing a specialist. DO NOT BE FOBBED OFF. Good on QVC for raising awareness.

[Margaret]

Well done all , I to was diagnosed with cancer in my breast but after lots of tests it was found to be lymphoma ,on a watch and wait programme at the moment but sometime I to will be having chemo and all you wonderful ladies are a true inspiration to me, I seem to really want to live life to the full now and Im sure all of you would agree with me , will be spending loads on the night but why not,God bless all,Margaretxxx

[Gillian Parry]

Well done!

I too was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and it's such a shock when you get that horrible news. I would like to draw attention to the fact that many women think that if they breast fed their babies they cannot get breast cancer - I breast fed 5 children for 2 years each. Since talking to women still am amazed how unaware they are to this fact.

To be a model would be amazing! I'm 50 now but feel 28. I had a wide incision that removed part of my breast and total clearance of lymph nodes, on Arimadex now for 5 years after having radiotherapy.

I enjoy life and go to jive and ceroc - which means I'm just as active if not more so than before.

Power to us all x

[Jayne]

Well done ladies you are inspirational!!

I too was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39 (3 years ago today actually!) which was a huge shock. 4 operations later, including a hysterectomy, I feel on top of the world!!!

I would absolutely love to be a model at the BCC fashion show and hopefully maybe one year my application will be succesful!!! Cant wait to see you all looking glam - hope you had THE best night ever!

Take care....lots of love and hugs to you all - and to everyone affected by this horrible disease.xxxx