When her partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009, Carolyn Pierpont threw herself into finding a cure.
The devastating diagnosis came out of the blue – she and boyfriend Mark Toshney had just returned from a holiday in Canada when he fell ill and collapsed.
At Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s intensive care unit, doctors broke the news he had an aggressive brain tumour and would need surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Miss Pierpont, of Westhill, said: “He was only 32, so it was a shock.
“He just got on with things – when a patient is diagnosed they deal with it differently than carers. I was more emotionally affected than he was, as I couldn’t do anything about it or fix it. It’s been a huge emotional rollercoaster.”
The 36-year-old decided to take control by setting up charity Bare All for Brain Tumours – an umbrella of the Brain Tumour Charity – and has since raised £85,000 to fund research.
Now Miss Pierpont is preparing to hold a fundraising ball in the north-east, and has enlisted the help of friend Dawn Smith to ensure the sparkling event goes smoothly.
A Touch of Silver will be held at the Thainstone Exchange, Inverurie on August 23 and just two tables remain. The duo are also keen to secure more sponsorship to ensure all the money raised goes towards funding brain tumour research, as well as ARI’s oncology team on Ward 40.
Mrs Smith, of Rothienorman, whose mother is battling a brain tumour, said: “They do so much for you on Ward 40, they are just amazing. We want to give something back to the people who have helped our families.
“This is a cause that is close to both of our hearts.”
Guests will be entertained by band Salem’s Lot, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and local singers Bambi and Stephen Innes.
Miss Pierpont, who has a four-year-old son Aiden, said that after this fundraiser she would be taking some time off.
“Mark finally popped the question so I want to concentrate on my wedding next July,” she said.
“When he was diagnosed they said his life expectancy was one to five years. He gets checked every six months and will continue to do so over the next 10 years. We’re coming up to the fifth year, and over time the likelihood of it recurring reduces, so we’ve just got to be positive.”
To book one of the last remaining tables, or to find out more about sponsorship e-mail dawnsmith_80@yahoo.co.uk or call 07970 297213.