JACQUI Drake of Apperley Bridge was recently presented with an award for her campaign to raise £1 million for a cancer treatment centre. Here Jacqui, who has stage 4 skin cancer, writes about the latest stage of her Jacqui’s Million appeal, and her children’s book about keeping safe in the sun:
It feels wonderful to break through the £300,000 with Jacqui’s Million - we’re now at £300,862 and due to everyone’s continued support and generosity we have raised over £13,000 so far this year to help so many people at Leeds Cancer Centre. This year a big part of the funds raised will go to facilitating an additional Bereavement Nurse, a role that is so needed and costs £53,000.
I was over the moon and felt very humbled to receive the Kate Granger Award for Outstanding Contribution at the Yorkshire Choice Awards recently. I was totally blown away as there were so many inspirational nominations. It means so much to me and the charity, as Kate was a doctor in Leeds who sadly died of cancer when she was just 34. Her legacy is #Hellomynameis.
As a cancer patient who is terminally ill with stage 4 malignant melanoma, I know how important it is to stay safe in the sun. We need to protect and educate ourselves and the next generation about sun awareness and the importance of wearing an SPF every day, as UV rays are just as potent when it’s cloudy. I have published a children’s book, alongside fellow cancer patient Sandra Hudson. This is something I have wanted to do for some time and meeting Sandra while I was on treatment sparked the idea even more, as she showed me a poem she had written about being on chemo. As a former schoolteacher she knows how important health education is.
The concept and design for the book came from me, and the words from Sandra, and we produced it in just six weeks! Our book, called Adventures in the Sun with Edi, Hassan and Chen, is aimed a primary school pupils and their families, as education on this issue is key.
“At the moment I am trying to get the book into schools alongside a pack of digital resources for teachers and students on sun awareness. It really is about education, as 80per cent of sun damage happens before the age of 18 and 86per cent of melanoma cases are preventable. I would love to see this book on aeroplanes and in holiday parks too.
It’s a fun interactive book, following the adventures of three best friends as they enjoy days in the sun, whilst giving a very important message through rhyme and fun - with no mention of cancer! Sandra has written the lovely engaging narrative, with stunning illustrations by Rob Gilroy.
Copies of the book can be obtained from me at jacqui.drake1@brinternet.com for £5 plus p&p. The schools pack, which includes a book and digital resources, is £25. Donations received from this very special project will go directly to my Jacqui’s Million appeal.
Fundraising this year is really tough; many charities will suffer due to the economic climate and coming through the pandemic, but I’m determined to bring in that much-needed million. We all know someone who has cancer, many of us have lost someone to cancer and every two minutes in the UK someone is being diagnosed with this terrible disease.
To pledge a donation visit justgiving.com/jacquismillion
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