Join the Sunday Mail's Pink Christmas appeal and help fight breast cancer

Nov 30 2008

MORE than 4000 Scots are diagnosed with breast cancer every year - the vast majority of them mothers.

So thousands of children are facing the agony of their mum's illness...confused, terrified and unsure of what lies ahead.

Today we join forces with Breast Cancer Care Scotland to launch a PINK Christmas appeal to help support such families by donating just £5.

They include ordinary kids, such as 13-year-old Hannah Gormley, of Paisley, who has lived with the trauma of her mum Barbara's battle with breast cancer. She was nine when her mum was diagnosed.

She said: "I kept asking Dad if Mum was going to die.

"She got very ill. I was sick at one point and I just wanted a hug from her but she couldn't hug me because she'd had radiotherapy."

Bank manager Barbara, now46, and her husband Paul, 45, who works for Arnold Clark, struggled to cope with news of her illness.

Barbara said: "Paul and I waited so long to have Hannah. We tried for seven years and eventually had to have IVF. I was determined I wasn't going to leave her."

Thanks to the support of Breast Cancer Care, the family started to put itself back together.

Barbara said: "One of the first things I did was call Breast Cancer Care's helpline.

"I didn't know anyone else who'd had breast cancer. I didn't have a clue what was ahead and talking to someone who could guide me through it was wonderful.

"It helped that it wasn't someone I knew. I could say things I didn't want to tell my family because they were so worried.

"I wanted to be around to see Hannah grow up. Breast Cancer Care helped me see I would be."

Today Hannah launches our appeal by telling her story in her own incredibly moving words.

Just £5 will help Breast Cancer Care Scotland steer a family through the most difficult times.

If you give just one gift this Christmas, make it a fiver to fight breast cancer so kids like Hannah can share many more Christmases with their mums.

HOW YOUR MONEY WILL HELP

Your fiver will help to fund vital support services for the 4000 Scots diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Breast Cancer Care Scotland is entirely dependent on donations to provide the services listed below. THEY GET..

HELPLINE: The free helpline is available to anyone touched by breast cancer.  Phones are staffed by experienced nurses and specially trained workers.  All calls are confidential - 0808 800 6000.

WEBSITE: To find more details about treatments, get involved in discussion or download the latest factsheets, log on to www.breastcancercare.org.uk

PUBLICATIONS: Mummy's Lump is a children's book which helps parents explain to kids under six what breast cancer is, while the leaflet In It Together is a guide for patients' partners.

HEADSTRONG: This service offers support and advice for those who lose hair after treatment, including how to use scarves and wigs. Call 0141 353 8330.

YOUNGER WOMEN'S FORUMS: Young women with breast cancer can discuss issues such as fertility. Call 0141 353 8330.