WATCH: 'Cancer is not the end' – Inverness woman feels 'grateful' to be part of inspiring catwalk event
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by Federica Stefani and Annabelle Gauntlett
"'Cancer' was one of those words I would never use. I was absolutely terrified of it," said Joanna Ewing, a former primary teacher who had been healthy most of her life, until 2022.
She is one of the models who will take part in Catwalk for a Cause – an event to raise money for Highland Hospice and give a platform to brave people who have battled cancer, this weekend.
In March 2022 she found a lump in her breast, but although she felt it wasn't a hormonal lump, as her GP suggested, she didn't think it was cancer.
However when, three weeks later, she went for a second check with another GP, she was referred for further exams.
"The problem was that I was flying to Poland the following day, " she said.
Joanna and her Scottish husband, Simeon, had lived almost a decade in Ukraine and set up a charity which helps and fosters Ukranian children – and she was booked in to help at centres for Ukranian refugees.
"I couldn't wait longer so I booked an ultrasound and went the day after I arrived in Poland. There they told me that it was most likely cancer," she said.
"It was really hard, I was on my own. My husband was in Scotland and my sisters live very far away from where I was."
She returned from her travels three days earlier to attend the breast clinic where she was officially diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I was really scared, I had never had surgery before," she said. "I was super healthy and was very proud of myself for it.
"I had a full mastectomy at the end of June and on my birthday in August I had my first round of chemo.
"After six rounds of chemo, I then started radiotherapy in January 2023."
Along with chemo she said telling her daughters Amelia (13) and Jasmine (11) was the hardest part.
She said: "It was my worst fear. I couldn't think of doing it and the worst appointment was when they told me I had to do it. It took me a long time to accept it.
"I still wanted to be there for my girls, and be a functioning mum. But, although it was very difficult, it wasn't as hard as I thought. I still can't believe I made it."
Faith also helped her through.
"I felt like I was never alone," she said.
"We prayed together and it brought us together as a family. The girls knew that they could always come and speak to me about it and ask questions, and they did.
"Jasmine made me lots of drawings – once she did a picture of me with no hair, and she was saying 'you're gonna be beautiful, no matter if you have hair or not, we love you'. That was really special.
"I can't thank my husband enough for being there. I am terrified of needles and basically he had to give me the injections. We cried so much, but we were so happy on the last appointment."
Her active treatment finished a year ago. and during her journey, she said, something shifted in her and her perception of her body and her life.
She said: "I was never happy with how I looked and with my body, but after chemotherapy this changed. My body is an amazing thing – chemotherapy showed me what really actually matters. It's slowly recovering and it's healing, and it's capable of all amazing things.
"I am the most confident I have ever been in my life, I am so grateful of what my body has been able to do."
Her dream now is to become a qualified professional trainer and help other women going through cancer treatment grow their confidence and keep active.
"I feel this is a second chance – to live my life, loving my body and to do my bit to help others," she said.
That is also why she is taking part in Catwalk for a Cause: "Being on a catwalk is one of those things I want to do and at the same time be part of something bigger.
"Highland Hospice does an amazing job for people in the Highlands and I wanted in some small way to be a part of it."
However, only a few days ahead of the big event she admitted nervousness is starting to kick in.
"When I said 'yes' it looked far away," she said.
"I am scared but my husband says 'feel the fear, but do it anyway". I just don't want to trip!
"However, it will be amazing, and I feel so privileged and grateful to be part of it."
