Member Article

Skin clinician who survived cancer leads 'star box' campaign

AN INSPIRING skin clinician and cancer survivor is part of a campaign to support people undergoing treatment for the condition. 

Sara Cheeney, owner of the award-winning Pure Perfection Clinic in Rossett, is among a group of six volunteers working to develop a new ‘Star Box’.

Backed by NHS charity Awyr Las, the care package is for patients using the Shooting Star Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, which cared for the mum-of-two when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34 years of age.

Sara, from Llangollen, has also vowed to donate a portion of her company’s profits to the cause and is delighted to be able to “give something back” after successfully battling the disease more than six years ago.

“Being told you have breast cancer is a terrifying ordeal, but I am a fighter and had to carry on, for my family and my business,” she said.

“I never ever wanted to be labelled a victim and like so many women I gathered my strength and moved on with my life.

“Cancer made me refocus, and you never lose that; the opportunity to be able to support Awyr Las and the Shooting Star Unit has given me fresh impetus to help others now in that situation.”

Sara added: “I received a lot of support but there is even more available now and the Star Box is something I would have gained a lot of comfort from.

“It’s the small things included that will make a difference, like a pair of warm socks for when your feet become cold, a notepad to note hospital appointments, small gestures targeting the senses, the things we take for granted.

“I am honoured to have been asked to be part of the group taking this forward and Pure Perfection will also be donating a portion of its profits year on year to contribute to the project.”

Sara’s kind gesture comes after her 40th birthday celebrations, which included a fancy dress party, raffle, and coffee and cake events that raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

The Star Box project was co-founded by Anne Marie Humphreys, a Senior Sister on the Shooting Star Unit.

With the backing of organisations including Mike and Jules Peters’ Love Hope Strength Foundation, she hopes the scheme will enhance the experience patients have during visits.

“Specialist chemotherapy nurses are fully aware that the clinical aspect of a patient’s care is paramount towards achieving a positive response to the disease process,” said Anne Marie.

“However, to be able to complement this with timely information, compassion and supportive gestures can make a difference to a patient undergoing treatment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin James Williams .