Hair and Beauty Technician Joanne Ellis, is using her cancer experience to help and inspire others who are suffering from the condition.
Joanne (52) from Bonnybridge, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2022 and given the ‘all-clear’ in May this year, started work at Forth Valley College in 2018 and has worked for the College’s Hair and Beauty Department at all three Campuses.
She recently completed the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Musselburgh to Murrayfield on Sunday 17 September) to raise money for Maggies - the charity which provides free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends – and has recently enrolled on a Cancer Related Hair Loss & Hair Care Course and volunteers at the Look Good Feel Better Workshop, in order to help people going through the same journey as herself.
Joanne also revealed how here FVC colleagues and friends have been getting involved in fundraising and support too, raising more than £500 through raffles and other activities. In total she has raised £1,535 - £680 from the Kiltwalk, £270 from a family Elf Walk and £585 from the Health and Beauty Department!
The photo shows (from left to right) Kelly Harris (Joanne’s sister), FVC Colleague and friend Elaine McDonald, Joanne, Lilly Ellis (her daughter) and Jamie Collier (Lilly’s boyfriend) at the Kiltwalk.
She, said: “I wanted to do this for Maggie’s as I owe it a fortune in cake and coffee from my visits… lol!
“On my first visit there I was very apprehensive going in. I’m not going to lie it was a bit daunting - most people looked very unwell, little did I realise that I’d look the same in the coming weeks and months. Anyway I was made to feel very welcome, the kettle is always on and cakes and biscuits ready available.
“We all sat a big kitchen table as I listened to people chatting quite freely about their cancers and treatments. I felt quite relaxed and I spoke with others on the same journey, such as volunteers and workers who do offer individual advice. I have attended various workshops and I have made some lifelong friends. I am now a volunteer at the Look Good Feel Better Workshop and I also get involved in fundraising too along with my family and close friends such as Elaine McDonald a Learner Development Worker at the College – she has been a massive support through this journey.
“In fact all my work colleagues have supported me along the way and have done some fundraising in the department too. Wendy Gentles also a Technician based at the Falkirk Campus Hair & Beauty Department has also organised raffles raising around £500. All my work colleagues, particularly in our department, have been really supportive throughout, which at times have helped me get through this.
“Maggie’s is just a safe place to go if you just want some time out from all the chaos that’s going on when you are going through this. It’s a great place and so valuable too many and I now want to help others going through the same thing.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Joanne’s fundraising total can do so here.
