Welcome to my first ever website. I’m so excited.

This is a dream and a project I've wanted to do since being diagnosed with Cancer nearly three years ago and now it's a reality.

My main aim is to make Women who are going through Cancer feel and look beautiful.

I know what the effects of chemotherapy can do to you inside and out and how it can take away all that feels feminine. But it doesn't have to be like that. With the help of my team we will give you a make over that will make you wanna scream with joy.

Caroline’s Campaign, which helps women fighting breast cancer to look and feel beautiful, was started by a survivor of the disease who believes that boosting self esteem and confidence is an important part of the battle .  Huddersfield woman Sue Dawson was nominated by friends to join a Caroline’s Campaign make-over masterclass in Leeds.  She talked to Hilarie Stelfox

SUE DAWSON has always believed that family and friends were the most important things in her life.

But until she developed breast cancer she never fully realised just HOW important.

“They have been so loving and supporting.  It has given me confidence and courage,’’ says Sue, who is more than half way through treatment for an aggressive breast tumour.

As well as being there to help Sue through her surgery and subsequent chemotherapy, friends also nominated her for a Caroline’s Campaign make-over in Leeds.

It was, says Sue, “an experience that gives you a feeling of well-being; a feeling that you can look good even with cancer.  You might have lost your hair, your eyebrows, your eye lashes and, in some cases, you have lost your breast as well, but you can go on and feel positive about it.’’

Caroline’s Campaign was launched two years ago by former Yorkshire woman Caroline Monk, who was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2004 at the age of just 34.

Having successfully fought the disease Caroline wanted to set up a charity that gave individual help to sufferers.  She travels to major cities, bringing together women currently fighting cancer, and organises top-to-toe make-overs.  Caroline finds wig makers and beauty therapists and arranges for everything from permanent make-up to replace lost eyebrows, to new outfits.

Sue, a former medical secretary, was nominated by two friends, Ann Marshall and Vivienne Howard.  Neither knew that the other had put Sue’s name forward.

But both were inspired by the way that Sue has faced breast cancer.

After the diagnosis in January this year, the 61-year-old had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.

Sue says that she had prepared herself for the worst when she and her husband Graham went to see the consultant to find out if she had cancer.  But Graham admits that the diagnosis “was like being hit around the head with a baseball bat.’’

The couple, who have a 31-year-old daughter and are now retired, are both members of St John’s Church, Upperthong, and say that their faith has helped to carry them through their ordeal.

Sue, a pastoral carer, is more used to caring for other people and admits that, at first, she found it difficult to accept that she needed help.

“People find it easier to give than to receive, but I have learned how to receive and it is a humbling experience.  I am much more aware now of the love and kindness of other people’’ she explained.

Sue has also had the support of members of the ladies choir Vocal Expressions, to which she belongs.

Her friend Vivienne, a fellow member, explained how she came to nominate Sue for a Caroline’s Campaign make-over: “Ten days after her mastectomy, Sue stood before us at rehearsal, thanked us for all our support, and told us that she would still be singing with us whenever possible.  She impressed us all greatly when she said she had no idea how she was going to look in the near future but that ‘inside this body I am the same person’ - the Sue we all know and love.  She has such guts and great faith.’’

When Sue began losing her own, blonde, hair she began wearing a short auburn wig and says that Graham liked it so much she has decided to remain auburn when her hair grows back.

She was given a second, longer wig, at her make-over and now alternates between the two.

Sue was so impressed by her experience with Caroline’s Campaign that she now wants to support the work of Caroline Monk.

Make-overs are, she says, a way for women undergoing breast cancer treatment to have a life-affirming experience.

“Life does go on and it is very precious, as I’m finding out. 

“Having breast cancer has given me inner strength and ways of coping with adversity.  I’ve also discovered my weaknesses.

“But the make-over was fantastic.  I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt and what a great day we had.’’

*  For details of Caroline’s Campaign and how you can support it, check out www.carolinescampaign.co.uk