Cinderella made sure these brave girls went to the ball
CANCER may have stolen their hair, or left them with blotchy skin and surgery scars, but it has not stopped these courageous young women from looking fabulous on their prom night.
For many young cancer patients, months and even years of gruelling treatment can have a harsh impact on their body.
It can cause bloating and unbearable sickness, as well as extreme tiredness and a lack of confidence and self-esteem.
In a lot of cases, children and young people battling the disease are forced to take long periods of time off school because of how weak their immune system is.
They often sit at the sidelines, watching friends get ready for exams and end-of-year parties feeling left out and unable to join in. The glamour of a prom night when you have a cancer diagnosis can sometimes feel like a dream.
And that’s where the Cinderella Project comes in, like a fairy godmother waiting to make those dreams come true.
Since 2013, the community fund, run by Margo Cornish, has helped dozens of young people who have been affected by cancer – by giving them a complete makeover so they are ready for their school prom, leavers party or other special occasions.
Charlotte Jennings, from Gatley in Stockport, was diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in January 2014. She underwent a bone marrow transplant, lost all of her hair, and is covered in scars and stretch marks as a result of the harsh, but lifesaving, treatment which also left her disabled.
The 16-year-old has missed around three years of school since her diagnosis, and described going to her prom as her one chance ‘to be like all the other girls her age.’ Charlotte, who worked hard to keep up with her studies and is expecting her GCSE results next month, was also named Prom Queen at the event, which was held at Mere Hotel in Knutsford.
Her mum Lynn, 47, said: “Charlotte is such a selfless child. Since she was diagnosed she has raised £30,000 for charity, and is now an ambassador for charity Kidscan,” Lynn said. “She goes back into hospital to speak to other children going through cancer, and supports families.
“She’s given up her birthdays to host charity events, and we are so happy she has been able to have a night for her. The cancer treatment left her disabled, she’s on medication, regular check-ups, she can’t do what other teenagers do like go shopping or go around to each others’ houses.
“The Cinderella Project meant she was able to go to her prom as an equal to everyone else and feel like a normal teenager. It meant the world and she loved it.”
In September last year, Katie MacRae was told she had neuro endocrine cancer in her liver, pancreas, spine and lung.
The disease was so widespread, doctors didn’t know whether chemotherapy would work.
The 15-year-old, from Preston, was treated at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Her treatment made her really sick, she didn’t eat for 12 weeks and lost a lot of weight. Katie said: “During chemo, I was so, so ill I didn’t even want friends to come around, let alone think about going to prom.
“As I began to feel a little better and prom was in sight, I began to think about what to wear. “The Cinderella Project was fabulous. Margo certainly is my fairy godmother! She found me a dress that made me feel and look amazing. I was so pleased to be able to attend prom with my hugely supportive friends.”
Mum Nanette added: “Before Katie was diagnosed she had no symptoms.
“On the Saturday she said she didn’t feel well, and by the Monday she couldn’t walk.
“She was so poorly, I didn’t expect her to be going to prom let alone walking to prom. When I realised she would be well enough