Meet the mother and daughter duo who are making the journey from cancer patients to catwalk models.
Rita Peacock, 60, and Lisa Stephen, 36, from Stonehaven, are among the 24 women affected by cancer who have been chosen to take part in Courage on the Catwalk at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on May 12 and 13.
Their story highlights why the annual event, organised by Friends of Anchor, has touched so many hearts and raised nearly £600,000 since it was launched in 2013.
At the start of 2016, the women were in good health and looking ahead to the future.
In the space of just 10 days, however, they were each diagnosed with breast cancer.
It was a crushing blow for the close-knit family, but their positive response to adversity demonstrates why they have been selected to appear in CotC.
Mrs Stephen, a specialist dietician with NHS Grampian, was told she had the illness at the age of 35 and her first thoughts were how it would impact on her young daughter.
Then, almost before she had grasped the enormity of her own situation, there came the news about her mum.
She said: “My diagnosis was bad enough, but you can imagine our shock when my mother was diagnosed with an identical cancer just 10 days later.
“Notwithstanding our horror, the realisation of the implications to my seven-year-old daughter were just too horrible to contemplate.
“These events have completely changed my outlook and this disease has focused my mind on the important things in life.
“My family and friends have been wonderfully supportive since it happened. With their help, I have been able to make some very serious decisions, regarding my treatment.
“I had initial surgery, chemotherapy, daily blood thinning injections and a double mastectomy with reconstruction.
“Throughout all of this, the Anchor unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was always there with smiling faces and encouragement.
“I never dreamed I would be able to have a laugh and a joke while having poisons pumped into my body on a chemo ward, but Anchor made that a reality for me.”
Mrs Peacock showed a similar indomitable spirit and resilience throughout her ordeal and they both decided to embark on the challenge of applying for the 2018 CotC show.
On Wednesday, they discovered their bid had been successful and they met up yesterday with the other 22 women who will grace the stage at the Beach Ballroom in May.
She added: “I was thrilled and excited to receive the call to be a Courage on the Catwalk model.
“This is not something I would normally volunteer for, but with the support of our wonderful breast care nurses, my daughter and I were delighted to apply.
“I am sure it will be an amazing opportunity for myself and Lisa to share this experience together.”
The pair had nothing but praise for the efforts of those who have looked after them at the Anchor unit and in the wider world of NHS Grampian.
And they are determined to spread the message that you can remain upbeat even in the throes of anxiety and apprehension.
Mrs Stephen said: “I feel totally honoured to have been chosen to be one of the 24 models, I was a little overwhelmed initially.
“I am really looking forward to getting to know the other models and hear their stories, but most of all, I am looking forward to going through this experience with my mum and all the pampering that will go with that.
“I will be so excited to have my mum by my side as a model. It has been a tough couple of years and although we’ve gone through it together, we haven’t always been well at the same time.
“I am looking forward to something positive coming out of our journey with cancer.”
Revealed: the 24 models who will star at this year’s Courage on the Catwalk
Some have beaten their cancer diagnosis. Others are continuing their battle with the disease.
But the Press and Journal can today unveil the names of the 24 women who will star at this year’s Courage on the Catwalk show on May 12 and 13.
Applications came in from all across the north east of Scotland to the organisers, Friends of Anchor.
The models will now start preparing, with professional help, for the glittering occasion, which is backed by Total E&P.
Sarah-Jane Hogg, director of fundraising and development at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “We were so thrilled to bring together our line up of 24 inspirational models for the first time.
“Over the years, we’ve seen wonderful friendships forged and our models continue to meet up years after their catwalk debuts.
“We received so many heartwarming applications and would have loved to invite everyone to take part.
“After many hours of deliberation, we selected a beautifully diverse group of women who show the breadth and scale of the lives impacted by a diagnosis.
“The final line up has an age range of 26 to 81, with locations reaching as far as Alford, Inverbervie and Fraserburgh.
“There are 16 different cancer types and we have our first non-malignant blood disorder patient who is also being treated at the ANCHOR Unit.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to work with such courageous women and we look forward to watching their confidence grow over the coming months.”
The Press and Journal will be celebrating the women’s stories in the weeks ahead.
