Survivor Sandi is all ready for the catwalk
Former cop is now model citizen
Cancer survivior Sandi Wallace is a true role model at 69.
The former police officer is about to step on to the catwalk for charity.
It is a dream task for the fashionista who owns 140 pairs of shoes and adores clothes.
Sandi, who was dubbed Evil Edna by criminals for her hardline attitude as a no- nonsense cop, took a similar approach to breast cancer.
She said: “When I was having my treatment I would think: ‘ I hope this cancer is feeling better today because I’m going to kick the s** t out of it.’
“I told my fabulous surgeon Philippa Whitford who is now an MP: ‘ I just want you to get it out. If the breast has to come off the breast has to come off. I just want to live.’”
Sandi, of Prestwick, was diagnosed 20 years ago in 1996, aged only 49.
She felt a terrible pain under her arm and found lumps.
A doctor told her she had a very aggressive cancer in a breast, which had spread to her lymph glands. She was rushed to surgery shortly after with Dr Whitford performing a lumpecotomy, removing the tumour and eight lymph glands.
After grueling chemotherapy and radiotherapy she got the all clear the following year.
She said: “I try to concentrate on the positives.
“It was not all glum. While getting radiotherapy with a little old lady from Kilmarnock she said to me that it was an awful shame that I would lose my lovely hair.
“As a reply I started giggling and pulled off my wig and we were both laughing and laughing.”
Her battle with cancer has never held her back.
She went on to become a planning enforcement officer with South Ayrshire Council after retiring from Strathclyde Police after a 30 year career as a traffic and court officer among other duties.
She said: “I want to get a message to people that there is life after cancer.”
When she put herself forward as a model for a Breast Cancer Care Scotland fashion show in September, the organisers snapped her up.
Married Sandi, who has a stepdaughter, said: “I love modelling as it is so much fun. It gives me a new lease of life.
“I absolutely love fashion. They call me Imelda Marcos because of how many shoes I own!
“They are all different colours but the ones with the big heels don’t get so many outings these days. Too many older ladies just pull on a fleece.”
Sandi will take to the catwalk on September 23 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.