In 2024, The Show by Breast Cancer Now will include 4 of our Voices as models. We take a look at what being a model means to them, and what they’ll be doing before they step onto the catwalk.
What is The Show?
The Show by Breast Cancer Now is a fashion show, but it’s also much more than that. The Show features 24 people living with or beyond breast cancer. They get the chance to flaunt some fabulous fashion, but more importantly, The Show gives them a platform to share a message about breast cancer that’s close to their heart.
Using fashion, our models will celebrate who they’ve become and reflect on their experiences with breast cancer.
How are the models chosen?
This year, we had 427 people apply as models for the show, more than ever before! Our staff panel had the difficult job of choosing 24 people.
The panel is made up of staff from the special events team, PR, nurses, multimedia, and staff with lived experience of breast cancer. They have a range of considerations when looking at the applications to ensure the models represent the demographics of those diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s important to demonstrate that breast cancer can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, location, size, or background.
What does being a model involve?
Being a model for The Show is more than just the catwalk. It starts in November with a photoshoot to get headshots and a video portrait so we can start publicity for The Show. They’ll also meet the team and stylist for the day.
Models have the chance to share a message with others about what’s important to them, and to raise awareness of breast cancer. In the lead up to The Show, we’ll be sharing as many stories as possible from our models to represent the vast range of experiences.
In April, they’ll come for a fitting and try on the clothes which have been chosen for them. And on 25 April, they’ll take part in 2 Shows. The first one in the afternoon is purely for friends and family. In the evening the audience will include Breast Cancer Now guests, including corporate partners, ambassadors, influencers and major donors with the aim of securing long term investment and support. The Show will be streamed on Facebook Live and be watched anywhere.
The Show 2023 had 52,500 views from around the world!
Who are our Voice models?
Keri, Miranda, Adrienne and Sharron, 4 of our Voices, were chosen to be models for The Show. We’re thrilled to have these 4 amazing women representing the Voices community, and we can’t wait to see them on the catwalk!
We asked them what it meant to them to be part of The Show.
Keri
"I’m so excited to be part of the show. Myself and my friend Hannah (who’s also my neighbour) applied together and we both got chosen. We’ve both had breast cancer in recent years and have become super close. I think we just wanted to do something fun, something out of our comfort zone and something to raise awareness and give hope to other people.
We’re both also so aware that breast cancer under 40 is so prevalent and therefore young women have to understand they’re at risk and need to check and advocate for themselves if they have any concerns."
Miranda
"It’s been great to be chosen as a model for The Show. I’m really looking forward to it and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race for inspiration! As soon as I got the call saying I had been chosen, I messaged Lauren, one of Mary Huckle’s* daughters, about the news as Mary was the one to encourage me to apply. I said that Mary was looking after me and that she would give me a kick up the bum if I didn’t apply!
Later in the year I’m doing the 2024 Great North Run for the charity. In my defence, running is good to strengthen your bone health so I’m helping others with fundraising as well as myself!"
*Mary Huckle was an inspiring campaigner for secondary breast cancer and valued Breast Cancer Now supporter. She was a model in The Show 2023, and sadly died from secondary breast cancer in June this year.
Adrienne
"When I received my diagnosis February 2019 the bottom fell out of my world. While my active cancer treatment finished in September, I’d opted to have a reduction on my good side to match my reconstruction better, but then Covid happened. I was finally able to complete my original cancer treatment plan in July 2023. So almost 4 years after finding a lump, I could stop being a cancer patient and start being a survivor.
The night before my final cosmetic surgery I came across The Show. It seemed like a sign! I was about to get back a body I could live with after a lengthy delay and it seemed an ideal way to celebrate it by getting dressed up and showing it off."
Sharron
"For me, to be part of The Show is exciting and hopefully, inspirational. I’d like to have the opportunity to show that it’s possible to have breast cancer at an early age (39) and then have another primary diagnosis later in life (65). However, I'm now living a good life, and most importantly, it's my sheer delight in being able encourage other people to use their voices to change things for others affected by breast cancer."
Get involved
To be sent more information about The Show 2024 and to register your interest in viewing the Facebook live, please email specialevents@breastcancernow.org