I will imitate a famous artwork every Friday, one painting a week for four weeks (to represent the number of times I have had cancer). 

I was first diagnosed with a rare cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, (cancer of the appendix) aged 19 years old. I was in remission for 5 years, and diagnosed again aged 24. I was in remission for 9 years and diagnosed again aged 34, and again aged 35. 

I have had four treatments of chemotherapy (3 HIPEC, 1 systemic), multiple operations including the removal of 1/2 my bowel, stomach, spleen, reproductive system, gall bladder, appendix, lining of liver and resection of colon.

Unfortunately despite the incredible care and skills of my medical team, the cancer is now inoperable and I am deemed palliative.

“The best use of imagination is creativity, the worst use of imagination is anxiety”. When faced with your own mortality it is natural to focus on the fear of dying, however when you realise that you have a choice how you respond, it is incredibly empowering. With this fundraiser I am choosing to focus my imagination on creativity. I have decided to focus on the things that I can change and although I can’t control how the cancer behaves, I can choose how I respond to it, hence the title ‘reframing cancer’.

A cancer diagnosis is incredibly isolating, a feeling that unfortunately most of the population will have felt, especially  in light of the current pandemic. Whilst I am lucky enough to have very supportive friends and family, I have also found it important to connect to community supports that are available. Shine is one of them. 

Shine is the only UK charity that support adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s with a diagnosis of cancer. With the number of people diagnosed with cancer rising to 1:2, charities like this are increasingly important.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could make any donation and support the fundraiser and charity. Please look out for my first famous artwork imitation this Friday 13th November. 

If you would like to get involved as well as donating, please feel free to put your own artwork imitation up! 

Thank you and happy creating. 

Claudia