Donegal cancer patients grace catwalk 03.10.07

COURAGE and pride graced the catwalk last night as Donegal cancer patients modelled for charity. The Donegal Action for Cancer Care Fashion Show attracted hundreds to the Mount Errigal Hotel where the models' families, friends and well wishers came out in force to raise funds for breast and prostate cancer services at Lettekenny General Hospital.

Compere on the night was Paul McLoone, general manager of Failte Ireland North West and himself a cancer patient. He told the large gathering how a minor road accident in Monaghan last year resulted in him going for 'an MOT' to his GP only to discover he had cancer. "I was diagnosed with colon cancer within a fortnight and had surgery within another fortnight," he said,
explaining that he was now "doing very well". Models to take to the catwalk last night included Rita Kelly of Carndonagh, who is recovering well after a 2005 breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy; Caroline McColgan, also of Carndonagh, who is currently in remission following a diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma two years ago; Lynn McDevitt of Letterkenny who had a mastectomy after developing breast cancer; Joan Buckley from Convoy who is in recovery from lung cancer and Siobhan Gillespie of Newtowncunningham who received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2001. One of the organisers, Betty Holmes, said she was delighted with the turnout for the event. "We wanted to raise awareness that not only is it possible to survive cancer but that appearance, style and self image is as important to patients as it is to everyone else and indeed can contribute to the person’s sense of wellbeing," she said. For more photographs of the DACC Charity Fashion Show click here .
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