Last week our panel advisor: Aesthetic Nurse Helen Blanchard introduced me to the Marina Dalglish Breast Cancer Care Appeal, as a cancer survivor Helen is an inspiration and has a wealth of knowledge on all subjects that are aesthetic and wellbeing, she told me to look up this wonderful appeal created by the wife of football legend Kenny Dalglish, also a cancer survivor herself. I spent a while reading about the appeal, I was touched and inspired by the wonderful work that the team provide for people at their “retreat”, complimentary beauty treatments are given to patients from former patients and volunteers, the spirit of kindness and generosity is overwhelmingly moving, As the founder of Safety in Beauty, I couldn’t help but feel that I need to do something for this wonderful appeal, I’m inviting our community of supporters to submit ideas to us, on how we can help the patients at The Retreat, after all there is nothing better than looking and feeling better about yourself during such challenging times. Please take a moment to read this wonderful letter from Marina Dalglish.
A Letter from Marina
Thank you to every single person who has donated his or her time, money, and expertise to The Marina Dalglish Appeal. We are a very small charity and I cannot over emphasise how much we value and appreciate everyone’s support, quite simply without it the charity would not be where it is today.
I have said many times that this isn’t my charity – it belongs to everybody who has supported us over the last 7 years. My name may be above the door, which has meant that I receive public accolade, but I’d much rather work behind the scenes and allow others to reap the benefits.
Many people approach me telling me how they have benefited from the money raised by the MDA, and it’s always lovely to hear that we have achieved what we set out to do.
I was very lucky because although I had 2 different types of breast cancer and required a double mastectomy, I did not face the same psychological barriers that many cancer patients face. Losing my breasts was not a huge deal for me; I was almost 50 and my boobs were looking past their sell by date. I’d had 4 children and they had served me well! I now have new pert ones that do not require a bra when I wear a strappy top, which is great for a granny of four who is going to celebrate her 50th* next year!! What worried me most was losing my hair, but I ended up loving my wigs. I had a few in different styles and colours. Only my family saw me without “my hat”! When my hair eventually grew back it was much thicker, a plus point to cancer!
Taking care with your appearance by penciling in your eye brows or applying a little bit of eye liner or not forgetting your lippy helps you feel better and looking down at a beautiful set of red painted toe nails when you are not feeling l00% helps too! This is something my nurse Donna Murray always encouraged and suggests to her other patients. The positive impact this has had lead to the foundation of The Retreat at the chemotherapy centre in Aintree. The day after their operation, patients are invited up to the centre to receive complimentary beauty treatments from former patients and volunteers.
Cancer may be given umbrella terms, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer – but what many don’t understand is that every case is different. The Marina Dalglish Appeal is associated with breast cancer as a result of my illness, but patients at our centres are treated for a range of cancers. These include: prostate, bowel, blood, breast, and bladder.
Cancer, its treatment and how you manage to deal with is different for everyone, I was lucky that I had great support from my family and friends and of course a wonderful medical team.
Marin Daglish