She’s having a ball for others
Survivor organises stylish fundraiser
A YOUNG cancer survivor and her mum have hatched a plan to pay back three charities dear to their hearts.
Rebecca Earley, 25, from Uxbridge, was diagnosed with Acute LymphoblasticLeukaemia in November 2011.
After intense cycles of chemotherapy at Hillingdon and Hammersmith Hospitals, she had a successful bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor thanks to the Anthony Nolan Trust in 2012.
Brave Rebecca went on to finish her university degree and is now working as a teacher at Hillingdon Primary School.
She has teamed up with her mum, Carla Batten, to organise several fundraising events – including a Ties & Tiaras Charity Ball – to raise money for the charities that helped them and give support to families going through the same trauma.
Rebecca said: “I’m really excited about it! We did a ball two years ago and it was a really successful evening, everybody made a real effort in what they wore, and brought friends, family and colleagues.
“As it was really successful so we thought we’d do it again, this time with a different venue and it’s more posh! We expect to raise at least £1,000 for each charity.”
Rebecca has come a long way since the last fundraising ball in 2013.
She said: “I’m now completely finished with all of my treatment. My hair has properly grown back, before it was very short.
“I feel more like myself before I got ill... working helped me get back to normality, I love my job, I love what I do it was hard work getting here but it was worth every minute.”
The charities benefitting are the Yiewsley Community Cancer Centre (CCC), Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Anthony Nolan Trust.
Carla Batten, who now volunteers for the Anthony Nolan Trust, said of the charities: “They saved my daughter’s life, so that’s why I’m passionate about these causes. I visit donors when they’re donating their stem cells in hospital.
“It can be quite emotional, especially if they ask questions. Sometimes they ask me why I do it and then I tell them my story and I think they then realize what a fantastic thing they’re doing.”
Ties & Tiaras Charity Ball is set to be a night to remember, with a threecourse meal, live band, 100 raffle prizes and a magical surprise.
The event is on Saturday at Radisson Edwardian Hotel near Heathrow with a 6.30pm start and tickets cost £55 and include a donation.
For tickets email ties. tiaras@gmail.com or call Carla on 07903 996 964.