Cancer support group Founder, Sara Williamson, 54, from Horbury, who was told she had a 40% chance of survival - with medical professionals stressing at the time that she would likely die of cancer or heart failure due to treatment within five years, is choosing to ‘celebrate life’, as almost a decade on from her diagnosis and receiving this initial news, she is set to host the White Rose Ball in Leeds as part of her 55th birthday milestone celebrations, in order to raise vital funds for “MY Breast Cancer Support Group” supporting others who are going through a diagnosis.
Next month, on the 24th May, The Marriott Hotel, in Leeds will be ready to welcome people from across the region for Sara’s White Rose Charity Ball in order to raise money for the MY Breast Cancer Support Group - a patient-led group welcoming all ages, living with primary or secondary breast cancer.
Sara, who has already personally raised over £300K for cancer charities, wanted to host an event that focuses on uplifting life and reminding people to enjoy each and every day.
In Dec 2015, Sara was diagnosed with stage three grade three C breast cancer with 14/17 lymph nodes affected. She was told she had a 40% chance of surviving five years, if treatment was completed. Sara ticked off; mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, herceptin and zolodex infusions… but had to stop and start treatment many times due to heart failure, Sara said; “I was told I would die of cancer or die of heart failure… I had to fight for Drs to fix my heart so that I could continue treatment - I was determined to complete all treatment, although this took several years.”
In Jan 2017, whilst still in treatment, Sara founded the MY Breast Cancer Support Group, a patient led support group welcoming all ages of people living with primary or secondary breast cancer. The team are based in Horbury, Wakefield, but host events and sessions across the whole of West Yorkshire and beyond.
As the group has grown, they now offer a plethora of activities including; an online community group, a monthly drop in facility in Wakefield, weekly Sunday morning walks - followed by breakfast and creative art sessions, dance activities takes place weekly at The Dance Studios Leeds, many different holistic therapies, Restorative Pilates with breast cancer trained specialist, coffee groups, art dance and theatre experiences, plus “Super Saturday and Sunday Wellness Days” with guest speakers and experts from health backgrounds, that are held several times a year promoting holistic therapies, and introductions to various types of exercise activities to improve strength before, during and after treatment. The amazing thing is, that all these sessions are subsidised by and for the group. - So, this is why Sara is hosting the White Rose Charity Ball to not only raise awareness of the support group, but to raise vital funds to keep providing this incredible support service, which over two thousand people from across the region have already accessed.
Sara continues; “Every 7 minutes someone in Yorkshire is diagnosed with cancer. 56,000 are breast cancer patients in the UK. At MY Breast Cancer Support Group, we are focussed on; sharing our stories, raising awareness and hopefully enabling others to get an early diagnosis for better treatments and better outcomes.
“For many charities and support groups, funding is always an issue, but it is imperative to improve patient lives. We pick up from where the hospital medical care ends, or assist NHS staff and patients during treatment. We are proud to collaborate with various organisations and experts. Every penny counts in making a difference. We are most grateful for everyone’s support be that volunteering, fundraising or helping to get our voice heard in order to support others.”
The group recently featured in a short film that has been nominated for an award for Yorkshire Cancer Research who support the group's work. You can find Sara’s story here: www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/exerciseandcancer
MY Breast Cancer Support Group is also supported by hospital breast care teams who provide updates on treatments, trials and general concerns. And, almost a decade since her own diagnosis, Sara who still endures the excruciating side effects of this long journey, zealously continues to campaign, share her story and support others to improve cancer pathways for future patients.
Sara has sat on the Research Advisory Panel for Yorkshire Cancer Research for six years and is an ambassador. She sits on the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance, the Living with and Beyond Cancer workstream at St James's, the Cancer Partnership Group for Mid Yorkshire Hospitals... She speaks at many events across the country, as well as in the media and is personally passionate about promoting exercise as a way of reducing the risk of recurrence by 60%. She is living proof of this.
Sara does all of this with a huge smile on her face as she is passionate about sharing joy. She said; “It is a delight to host the White Rose Charity Ball on the 24th May. And, I would love for people to join me in this celebration of life.”
The event has many Yorkshire-based entertainers, including; showgirls, dance groups from the Leeds Dance Studios, Alan Beck tribute to the Legends, Laurie Briggs who won a National UK Entertainment Award for her Karen Carpenter tribute… plus a welcome speech from Yorkshire-based model Rachel Peru and the Auction will be led by Married at First Sight star Matt Jamerson - auction prizes already include; a signed England rugby shirt, spa experiences, restaurant vouchers, a BMW experience… and much more. Tickets also include a; fizz reception, three course dinner, wine, tea and coffee.
Sara continues; “This event will be real fun and a real memory maker. Expect high impact and entertainment to impress”.
The White Rose Charity Ball is on Friday 24th May from 7pm. Tickets are £75 per person and are available from: https://bookwhen.com/mybreastcancersupport/e/ev-sxkk-20240524190000?fbclid=IwAR3vgsGwwLoHznygLg61-3k2dFm2QBpwHiSEv6a8qgEfpoRgS9WmhBhYXmE_aem_AZqYZmmCpSQZq1zXzCh9nfUPWFETX6CDCkS6uKWjqzsLEqoQ-PLFCSWyVgZPlWas0mpVV-RYW5d0WHOr_MfeS8go
To find out more about MY Breast Cancer Support Group, or to sponsor or donate towards the White Rose Ball, please connect with Sara via: https://www.facebook.com/groups/138547336841037 or email: mybreastcancersuppgroup@gmail.com for more information. If unable to attend but wishing to donate to this amazing cause visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/udc-my-breast-cancer-fundraiser
