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Inspirational Sheila ready to take on It's a
Knockout after giving cancer a beating!
A Merseyside woman who has beaten
cancer is taking on a knockout challenge, in a bid to help save the lives of
others diagnosed with breast cancer on Merseyside. Former hairdresser Sheila
Fairclough wants to raise funds for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital's R
Charity to help other women receive treatment that will save lives in the new
Royal. After years of treatment for a massive 10 centimetre tumour in her
breast, the 52 year old from Old Swan admits the disease has given her a new
outlook on life.
Sheila and 10 of her closest friends will take part in an inflatable obstacle
course based on the hit TV show:- 'It's a Knockout' to raise money
for the Breast Unit in the new Royal. Sheila said:- "I went for my first
breast screening appointment just after my 50th Birthday. I'd spoken to my GP as
I thought I should have been earlier, but screenings can go on until 53. I went
along to my appointment not expecting anything and I couldn't feel a lump. I had
a small section of skin on my boob that was slightly different; but I thought
that was just wrinkles setting in. I had no history of breast cancer or any
cancer in my family. But I was called back to a follow up appointment and I knew
something was wrong."
Sheila underwent a surgery to remove the breast and after a long recovery
started her chemotherapy treatment. She said:- "The chemo course I was put
on was ruthless. It left me without eyelashes, fingernails and toenails, and I
lost all my hair."
For most people, this would be a particularly distressing period, but Sheila
also has Bell's palsy, a condition that affects the facial muscles and causes
facial paralysis. Sheila said:- "I used my hair as a shield to cover up my
condition so losing it was a big worry for me. But then I discovered wigs, so
every day was a good hair day!"
During her treatment, Sheila didn't allow the cancer to affect her positive
outlook. She now uses her experience as a drive to raise funds for local cancer
charities on Merseyside. Shelia has raised money for the Breast Unit at Royal
Liverpool University Hospital, Sunflowers and Cancer Research UK, through
skydiving, tea and coffee afternoons and abseiling. The money sheila raises will
provide patients in the new Royal's Breast Unit with the best treatment and
comfort during their stay in Hospital. She said:- "Having cancer has
taught me how to live. You have to keep going and keep doing things you want to
do. I have 9 other people in my team of Warriors for It's a Knockout. The whole
day is going to be a laugh with my best mates. It's more of a fun challenge and
there should be something for everyone in there. If I can live through losing
all my eyelashes and hair, I can get through anything!"
Sheila and her team of Warriors are taking part in R Charity's It's a Knockout,
on Saturday, 6 May 2017, at Riverside Police Club.
Places for teams are still
available by calling the R Charity Fundraising Office on:- 0151 706 3150.
Individuals can also sign up to take part.
You can support Sheila and her team
of Warriors by donating to their Just Giving
Page.
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