STRICTLY SHIRL GIVES CANCER GIRLS A WHIRL
CHARITY WALTZ OFF WITH TOP GONG Dance show judge joins survivors after app wins National Lottery award for best UK health project
STRICTLY judge Shirley Ballas surprised a group of cancer survivors yesterday – and put on her dancing shoes to give them a ballroom masterclass.
The star was in Glasgow to announce Breast Cancer Care’s support app, BECCA, had waltzed off with a National Lottery award after being voted the UK’s favourite health project.
They won £5000 and a National Lottery Awards trophy – and will now have their work celebrated on a BBC One special, to be broadcast on September 26.
The app helps people move forward after breast cancer and face issues like body confidence, anxiety and the long-term side effects of treatment.
Shirley, who recently had a breast cancer scare and is an advocate for early detection, said: “I empathise with the damaging effects of cancer after a recent health scare and a family history of cancer.
“It is incredible to hear the stories of how this development has helped women cope with life after breast cancer. It’s a daunting transition and BECCA is doing the much- needed job of shining a light on how to get to the other side.”
During her visit, Shirley took the opportunity to chat to the ladies supported by the scheme and show off some dance moves.
She will reprise her role as head judge on Strictly this autumn, alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.
Karen Gold, from Ayrshire, is one of the women helped by BECCA.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2016 and had
chemotherapy, radiotherapy and will now go through hormone therapy for the next 10 years.
She said: “After all my treatment, I found it a bit more difficult than just stepping back into the life you had before.
“I came across the BECCA app when I couldn’t sleep. I found it really resourceful, very informative and it left me feeling less isolated.
“It deals with a lot of the worries and fears you have when you come out of treatment. There’s so much you can relate too and it really helped me manage my illness and its problems – without having to burden other people.”
Samia al Qadhi, chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, says winning a National Lottery Award is a great achievement.
She said: “Moving forward after breast cancer can like feel like a huge mountain to climb and we’re so excited that BECCA, which empowers women in their journey after breast cancer, has won the National Lottery Awards Best Health Project. Thank you to everyone that voted for us.” ●For more information, go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or follow on Twitter via #NLAwards.