2017 represents a significant milestone for local charity Isle of Man Breast Care as it celebrates 20 years of providing emotional, practical and financial support for patients, their families and friends living on the island.

Established in 1997, Isle of Man Breast Care is a registered local support group made up and ran entirely by volunteers who have all had breast cancer themselves.

The occasion will be marked by a night of fun, music and fashion as 20 brave breast cancer patients including one man, Chris Barr, return to the Catwalk for the charity’s bi-annual Fashion for Life fashion show. Taking place this year on October 27 at the Villa Marina, the show has raised more than ?78,000 since its inception in 2005.

Sharon Maddrell, Chairwoman and founding member of Isle of Man Breast Care said, “Isle of Man Breast Care came about when a now-retired nurse at Nobles Hospital was studying for a Master’s Degree of which she was looking into after-care of breast cancer patients on the island. As part of her study, she approached 20 ladies who had been patients in the last two years and studied their cases from diagnosis to date- I was one of those patients. From here she asked if we would be interested in forming a support group for patients and that’s when Isle of Man Breast Care was established!’’

Both Sharon and members of the support group host monthly informal drop-in sessions at The Snaefell Surgery in Anagh Coar for patients, family and friends but are also happy to talk over the phone or make home and/or hospital visits. If a patient needs a lift to a clinic appointment, a member will take them and go into the clinic with them if that would provide comfort. Likewise, members also travel away to off-island appointments with patients who don’t have anyone who could accompany them.

Sometimes talking can be the best medicine and ladies who have attended an Isle of Man Breast Care drop-in session have praised them for being a lifeline at a time when often they don’t want to talk about their illness at home, for fear of worrying family members.

For this year’s Fashion for Life show, Charles Alexander have generously donated a fabulous 18ct white gold with a single stone 0.6 carat diamond pendant, valued at an incredible ?1,695. There will be a silent auction held on the evening from which the highest bidder will take this gorgeous necklace home.

All funds received by the charity go directly to supporting patients and their friends and family through a difficult time.

For more information about Isle of Man Breast Care and the services and support it offers, please visit: www.iombreastcare.co.uk.