WATCH: Breast cancer survivor hails support of family and friends ahead of Inverness catwalk fundraiser
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Volunteer. Fundraiser. Survivor.
Maureen Davidson has a lifetime of inspiration to draw upon as she takes to the boards as one of 12 models participating in Saturday's Catwalk for a Cause, run by Highland Hospice and The Head Gardener.
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Maureen, from Inverness, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2022 after feeling a tingling in her left arm and breast. She soon detected a lump deep within the lymph nodes.
She said: "A worrying weekend followed. I didn’t tell anyone as my husband was away for the weekend with his work. On the Monday morning I got an appointment with the doctor at our surgery, and she sent an urgent referral to the Breast Unit.
"I had my appointment at the breast unit, where the nurses were amazing, and Mr Daltrey, my consultant explained I would require a lumpectomy."
"After my operation to remove the lump and lymph nodes, my first couple of rounds of chemotherapy went well, however a week before Christmas I took very ill and was hospitalized when my wound burst and I developed sepsis. Luckily, I got home for Christmas Eve. I then had another four chemo sessions after new year."
Maureen's own battle was not her family's first encounter with the disease.
Her oldest daughter, Laura, suffered a life changing brain tumour at the age of 13. Maureen describes Laura, now 42, as "an amazing young woman" and a source of continued inspiration.
She said: "I'm now doing really well. I received good results three days before Christmas which was the best pressie. I've stayed positive through my cancer journey with help from family and friends. My motto throughout was that if I felt well enough to do things, I would."
"I finished treatment at the end of April, and since then it’s been all go as my daughter Laura suffered a stroke weeks after. Our main priority now is her health, taking her to hospital and rehabilitation appointments.
"As always, family and friends are there for us through these challenging times."
The 65-year-old is one of 12 models who will strut their stuff as Catwalk for a Cause makes its highly anticipated return to the Drumossie Hotel.
She will be doing so with a partner by her side – her "chemo buddy", Sandra Patience.
Maureen and her family hold event hosts, Highland Hospice, close to their heart.
She said: "I lost my Auntie Margaret to cancer 34 years ago and the care she was given then was just amazing. It inspired me to apply and volunteer at Netley Lodge while my children were still in primary school. My oldest daughter is also a fundraiser with Highland Hospice.
"I had a lot of support from the breast unit, breast nurses, my consultant Mr Daltrey and Maggies for their classes they held on losing your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and I had loads of support from family friends and my Catwalk 'buddy', Sandra. We attended some Maggie’s courses together and we kept each other going with messages as we followed our chemotherapy journeys together."
"Everyone has had, or will have family or friends that will need the loving care of the hospice. Every little helps. It's fun and you are raising important funds for the hospice at the same time."
