Breast cancer awareness - from Crazybras
A NURSE from Desborough with breast cancer is organising a charity calendar to raise money to support others going through the same experience.
Julie Jelley, aged 54, is currently undergoing chemotherapy after doctors found a small growth in her breast in February following a routine mammogram.
After experiencing the “loneliness” and “fear” during her diagnoses and treatment, the mother-of-three, from Rushton Road , has launched a fundraising drive in an attempt to help others.
In a play on the Calender Girls theme, Julie is arranging a calendar which features 12 nurses, including herself, who have had a brush with breast cancer.
She said: “Having been in the caring profession I now find myself, the carer, becoming the cared for. I spend many hours waiting for treatment due to the large number of patients. While enduring this process you do feel extremely isolated despite the fact that you know everyone around you is going through the same thing. So I am attempting to do something about this by launching this calendar.”
The money raised will go towards improving the facilities and interiors of the waiting areas in the chemotherapy suite at Leicester Royal Infirmary and the breast unit at Glenfield Hospital as well as paying for treats to cheer breast cancer sufferers up while they are feeling rough, like spas treatments, makeover days and vouchers to buy new outfits. Some of the funds will also be used to ensure an improved and updated supply of reading material at the units.
Julie has worked as a nurse since qualifying in 1975. She is now a district nurse in Leicester, but previously worked night shifts at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
After an 18-week course of chemotherapy which ended in September, Julie is undergoing radiotherapy.
The name of the project is ‘Crazy Bras’. Julie has received help and advice in setting up the project from Northamptonshire breast cancer charity Crazy Hats.
For more information and to find out how to buy the calendar, visit their their website at http://www.crazybras.co.uk/CrazyBras/Welcome.html
To see a video about the project see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qPwR9dJGIc .
