Greater Manchester women affected by breast cancer in Calendar Girls photoshoot to help charity

Women from Greater Manchester who have been affected by breast cancer have followed in the footsteps of the famous Calendar Girls by doing a photoshoot for charity.

A total of 23 women from across the city-region took part in creating the images for the playful calendar, which is raising money for Manchester-based charity Prevent Breast Cancer. The calendar also acts as a subtle reminder to women to check their breasts and shares other top tips which could save lives by ensuring that cases of cancer are detected early. Here’s how you can pick up a copy and where the money will be going, while one woman who took part also shared her story.

What is the calendar and how can I buy a copy?

The calendar is named The Official BooBee Wall Calendar 2023 and has been created by BooBee, which is the vision of cancer campaigner Margo Cornish. She founded it in 2019 to raise awareness of breast cancer and works alongside Prevent Breast Cancer, which supports ground-breaking research into the disease.

In total 23 women from across Greater Manchester who have all had some experience of breast cancer posed for the cheeky and playful photoshoot inspired by Calendar Girls.

They are hoping to sell the calendar as a stocking filler in the run-up to Christmas and raise awareness about the deadly disease at the same time. As well as the fun and empowering pictures, the calendar contains inspiring quotes, top tips on becoming more breast aware and a helpful guide on how to check breasts.

It is available as a wall calendar, priced £12.50, or as a desk calendar for £8.50. To buy a copy, visit the Prevent Breast Cancer online shop.

‘This campaign is close to my heart’

One of the women who has taken part in the calendar, and is also an ambassador involved in the BooBee Big Campaign, is Jo Kerfoot who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 at the age of 45.

She began raising funds for Prevent Breast Cancer after initially recovering, taking part in the Great Manchester Run 2021, only to be told in 2022 that her cancer had returned. She is currently going through radiotherapy but is determined to continue raising awareness and supporting the charity and the BooBee campaign during her treatment.

Jo said: “It was lockdown 2020. During the summer we’d go on bike rides and enjoy time together. I remember feeling more tired and had a couple of dizzy spells. Bloods revealed I was anaemic, so I was put on tablets.

“I was watching Lorraine on ITV and her producer, Helen, had launched a breast cancer campaign – Change + Check. I recognised some of the symptoms highlighted such as nipple discharge, unusual pain and discomfort, plus skin changes. I had pain in my armpit too. I booked an appointment to see my GP. I was seen the same day and my GP put me on the two-week pathway to a breast clinic. I was then subsequently diagnosed with hormone positive ER/PR 8/8 HER2 breast cancer.”

Jo has also done some lingerie modelling for a business since having a masectomy, which she says has been extremely important for building up her confidence once again. She also raises awareness of breast cancer on Instagram.

She said: “I believe that from a traumatic event, such as cancer, should come a positive outcome. My mission is to help others with my knowledge, spreading the ethos of Prevent Breast Cancer and to get people checking! I also want to inspire. The campaign is truly close to my heart.”