Twenty inspirational women and men who fought breast cancer

Jun 1 2008 Lesley Roberts

THE youngest is just 30 and the oldest 81. There are new mums and grannies and even two men.

But they've been brought together by a shared trauma that you'd never guess from their smiles.

All of them have had breast cancer, many are in the midst of treatment, others areyearsbeyonddiagnosis, some are learning to live with the disease.

But they are all about to make their modelling debut in the most incredible fundraising event of the year.

Meet the 20 amazing peoplewho have been chosen to star in Breast Cancer Care Scotland's annual fashion show.

We got them together for the first time and put them through their paces for a photoshoot before they take to the runway at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday, September 25.

LESLEY ROBERTS reveals why they were chosen for the catwalk of courage.

Heather Clark, 30, Kilmarnock

At just 26, Heather was working in a bar in Spain when she found a lump in her breast. Cancer has been diagnosed in both breasts and has spread to her spine. Yet she looks a picture of health and is ready to fight the disease. She said: "I want to enjoy every single day ofmylife."

Emily Sanderson, 66, Thornliebank, Glasgow

Retired shop worker Emily was stunned when a breast scan found a problem. Within weeks she had a mastectomy. But with the help of her three children and eight grandchildren, Emily was able to enjoy herself. She said: "I'll grab any opportunity before it passes me by."

Netta Hastings, 81, Troon

Gran-of-four Netta is living proof you can beat breast cancer. She has been clear of the disease for 46 years - yet the prognosis was not good when she was diagnosed in 1962, aged just 36. She said: "When I look back I wonder how I came through it. But I count myself lucky to have seen my family grow up."

Catriona MacColl, 48, Tighnabruaich, Argyll

Mum-of-two Catriona had just begun nurses' training when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. It spread to her liver, eye, bones and brain but she fought every step of the way and the illness is now controlled. She said: "I cannot wait to get up on that stage and go for it."

Janice Millar, 51, Paisley, Renfrewshire

Thirteen of Janice's relatives died of breast cancer but she only found out when diagnosed herself. The mum-of-two had a lump in one breast but went ahead with a double mastectomy to cut the risk of it spreading. She said: "Now I sleep without worrying."

Kate Griffin, 47, Bannockburn, near Stirling

Pharmaceutical sales rep and mum-of-two Kate was on honeymoon with husband Bill in Jamaica last July when she found a lump. She got home to the news that one of her best friends also had breast cancer. Kate has had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She said: "I hope I can show people life does go on."

Anne Martin, 51, Paisley, Renfrewshire

Social care worker Anne was scared she'd not see her son Michael, 10, grow up. Twelve years on, he is in the RAF and Anne has never felt better. Her bravery inspired her actor dad James Martin, 77, to run a 10k to raise cash for Breast Cancer Care. She said: "If he can do that, I can get up on the catwalk."

Kirsty Roberts, 34, Edinburgh

Kirsty was expecting baby Blair, now 10 months old, when she noticed a breast lump but thought it was a blocked milk duct. Blair was 10 weeks old when cancer was diagnosed. She has had chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. She said: "I've turned out to be quite a strong person. And I appreciate every minute withmyson."

Margaret Rogerson, 55, Broughty Ferry, Dundee

Margaret didn't wallow in sorrow after finding a dimple on her breast last year. She had a mastectomy and a lymph node operation then, with help from family and friends, raised s3000 for the breast cancer wards at Ninewells Hospital. She said: "I want other women to see there is life after cancer."

Sandra Arbuckle, 56, Aberdeen

A year after personal assistant Sandra was diagnosed, she felt fine and was playing tennis. The mum-of-three had come through chemotherapy and a mastectomy. She said: "I realised I was going to survive." Twelve years on, she recently found she has a rare stomach cancer but is determined to deal with it too.

Joanne Potter, 49, Livingston

Mum-of-two Joanne had a job selling prestige cars when she found she had breast cancer. Joanne had a mastectomy but the disease has now spread to her bones. She said: "Thankfully my disease is stable at the moment. I have accepted it is incurable but I consider myself fortunate to have had all the wonderful experiences I've had."

Carol Tyre, 41, Dunoon, Argyll

Mum-of-two Carol has had breast cancer twice and she gave up her pharmacist's job to concentrate on her family. The cancer has spread to her lungs and brain but is being controlled. Shesaid:"I'mnotdying ofcancer.I'mlivingwithit. There's a big difference."

Susan Rose, 52, Whitecraigs, Glasgow

Businesswoman Susan had reconstruction surgery last year, 13 years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The confidence it gave her inspired Susan to apply for this year's catwalk show. She said: "It's the start of a new era. The rebirth of the 'whole me'."

Christine Ramsay, 49, Kincardine, Fife

Christine's son Roy was four when she was diagnosed. And after a mastectomy and chemotherapy she was told she couldn't have more children. But four years on, Alex was born.Now15 years later, her sons will cheer her along the catwalk. She said: "They are so proud of me."

Andy Darling, 40, Galashiels, Borders

Fitness fanatic Andy was so busy running his bar he didn't pay attention to the lump on his breast. After a check-up he was stunned to find he had breast cancer. Hesaid: "I had no ideamen could get this. But I want to do what I can to raise awareness among men."

Claire Cordiner, 39, Edinburgh

Nursery nurse Claire's daughters Neve, three, and Colette, seven, have helped her through chemotherapy. She also had a lumpectomy after finding a lump in her breast last November. She said: "I've told my kids and they keep me focused."

Rita Griffin, 56, Carmyle, Glasgow

Gran-of-two Rita found a new lifestyle after diagnosis three years ago. She started running 10k races to raise cash - even during chemotherapy. When she doesn't feel up to it, husband James runs for her. She said: "We've got a new outlook on life and find exercise a great distraction."

Christine McKinnell, 48, Lanark

Psychiatric nurse Christine was devastated when she lost her sister Jean, 32, to breast cancer. By the time she was diagnosed herself in 2004, Christine was prepared to hear the worst. But four years on she looks and feels super. She said: "My family can't wait to see me as a model."

Leona Levey, 39, Edinburgh

The PE teacher still works despite battling the disease for six years. The cancer has spread to her lungs and bones but drugs are controlling the illness. The mum-of-two said: "Cancer is not something I can get rid of now but I'm very much aware of living life to the full. Being chosen for the fashion show is so exciting."

Alex McKerron, 74, Kilsyth, near Glasgow

The retired joiner was closing his car boot when it hit his chest. As the bruising didn't fade, he was sent for a biopsy and had to have a mastectomy. In the eight years since, he has had five more operations. Brave grandad Alex said: "I'm looking forward to getting up on the catwalk."

NATIONAL

Tickets for Breast Cancer Care Scotland's amazing fashion shows go on sale on Thursday (June 5). Sponsored by National Tyres and Autocare and the Sunday Mail, these events are expected to raise more than s160,000 to support the charity's vital services in Scotland. If you'd like to go along - to the lunchtime show or the evening event - log on to www.breastcancercare.org.uk/scottishfashionshow Or you can call the ticket hotline from Thursday on 0141 225 6654. For advice call the Breast Cancer Care helpline on 0808 800 6000.