THE VOW FACTOR!
Campaigning cancer survivor in ceremony on same day as Harry and Meghan wed
ON MAY 19 the eyes of the world will be on one couple as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot in a ceremony set to attract some of the world’s most famous names.
But for a couple from Rhoose the focus of the day will be quite different – as they renew their wedding vows just months after a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Soraya Kelly, 48, is a breast cancer survivor and, after being told by doctors she was lucky she’d caught it early, the mum-of-four said she wanted to do something special to celebrate and raise awareness the deadly disease.
“I was on holiday in Spain in August with my family and I came out of the shower and I looked in the mirror and there was a lump in my breast,” she said.
“When I came back I thought I’d keep an eye on it and the doctor said they didn’t think there was anything to worry about but they’d refer me. of
“I was referred in October to University Hospital Llandough and had my biopsy and it was confirmed.
“I knew. I know it sounds silly but I knew in myself but my cancer nurse, Cheryl, was more worried about my husband Nick than me. For him, it was like he was told it was terminal.”
But, determined as ever, Soraya was adamant her diagnosis was not going to stop her. She was lucky and caught it early.
“I’ve got friends that had later stages of cancer and have kicked it,” she said. “I knew I could do this. I’m a strong, positive person.”
Soraya – who is in the process of setting up a campaign called #TheGlovesAreOn showing how cancer can affect anyone – was admitted to hospital in November where she underwent a lumpectomy.
Then she had to wait an agonising two weeks before she found out if the surgery had worked.
But it was the thought of her four children – 28-year-old Ashley, 14-yearold Harrison and 10-year-old twins Soffia and Soloman – that kept her going.
“I was positive because I knew it was the early stages,” she said. “My kids are the focal point and it was not my time to leave them.
“I went back in to have the results and the doctor said: ‘You are a very lucky girl. We’ve got all the cancer. A year down wn the line and you would be dead.’
“At that t point I thought I needed to o do something to make a difference.” fference.”
Soraya decided she wanted to o do something to celebrate. And when Prince Harry arry and Meghan han Ma rk le announced ced their wededding date te as Satur- day, May 19, she thought it would be the perfect time me to say her vows with husband sband Nick, a former rmer Cardiff RFC lock who represented ed Wales at under-19 level, for the second time. She said: “We’ve been together 22 years and married for 14 years and my husband said: ‘ When are we going to renew our vows?’ “I think Harry and Meghan are such down-to-earth, charitable people and I thought ‘I’m going to tie it in.’ That’s how the idea came about. Like them, I’m very down to earth. I also come from a mixed race background. My friend wrote to the Palace and to the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles but they’ve had no response.” Guests at the do at Craig Bellamy’s Pier 64 restaurant will also have to wear pink to celebrate and can bring donations, and not gifts, for the happy couple. “I was going to have a sm small thing in my back garden with a marquee,” Soraya said. “But I think it would be a celebration to tie in with w the Royals. Nick thinks it’s a great idea. He’s really real excited to renew our vows.” vo Soraya is also trying to raise £10,000 £ for Llandoug Llandough Hospital and the C Caron Keating Foundation and is holding a cha charity dinner at St David’s Ho Hotel in Ca Cardiff Bay, w with a host of fa famous faces an and busine nesses lendin ing their suppo port for he her #TheG GlovesAre O On campa paign.