Fab four hit the catwalk to help beat breast cancer
A group of inspirational Paisley women are swapping chemotherapy for the catwalk as part of the country’s most glittering fashion event.
The four glamorous Buddies will be walking tall at the Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show in October.
Ana Ireland, Josie Drage-Dawes, Marion Coyle and Jackie Gray will be strutting their stuff in the face of cancer and proving that the devastating diagnosis won’t define their lives.
Some were diagnosed many years ago, others are currently receiving treatment, while one Paisley great grandmother is walking the catwalk in memory of the daughter she lost to cancer 20 years ago.
“It’s our chance to be supermodels for the day,” said mum-of-one Ana Ireland. “When you first get the diagnosis you think good things will never happen to you again. This is proof that we do have brilliant things to look forward and life can get better after hearing the words ‘ You have cancer’.”
Ana was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2016 and celebrated beating the tumour five months later - and now she says she feels healthier and happier than ever before.
But her journey to become cancer-free was not an easy one. Despite noticing an inverted nipple in 2013 and having regular tests, doctors were unable to spot the disease until three years later.
“I was on my own when I was diagnosed and it was such a shock. I had to process it all myself.
“I live with my daughter Kerry but at the time she was going through National 5 exams so I decided to keep it from her until after she had sat her maths and English.”
Ana says although she found it difficult to keep her diagnosis a secret, she was able to find solace in the breast cancer community.
“Late at night while Kerry was sleeping I would log in online and talk to all these incredible women in the forum. They were a huge source of inspiration and support.”
Ana eventually told her daughter about her diagnosis and the pair are closer than ever.
Ana said: “I am lucky to have so much support - they keep me laughing throughout it all. They used my tummy tissue for my reconstruction so we like to joke that I got a free tummy tuck.”
Similarly, Josie Drage-Dawes also has an unbreakable bond with her daughter Alison.
Alison passed away aged just 32 in 1998 - with Josie holding her hand.
Then 18 years later Josie discovered a lump during a routine mammogram just before her 70th birthday and said her own diagnosis brought her even closer to her late daughter.
Josie said: “I don’t like to compare my breast cancer diagnosis to what Ali went through because I’m still here and sadly she’s not. But I’m happy my diagnosis allows me to become a model in the show and I know when I’m on that catwalk Ali will be with me too. Everyone loved Ali and we all still miss her every day.
“I know she would approve of me taking part in this amazing show.”
Mum-of-three Marion had been working as a home carer for five years caring for others but never imagined the day that she would be dealt with a life-threatening diagnosis of her own.
In 2016 Marion, now 63, had been suffering severe back pain when she found a lump in her breast.
The results that came back were devastating – she had a incurable breast