Maidenhead mother of two, Shelley Hand is organising a children’s party to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Action at St Pirans School on March 23^rd. Sima Stannage from Sima’ Action Kids will join other friends in ensuring that the afternoon is one to remember.

The event which is aimed at primary-school aged children and coincides with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, has already sold out, but Shelley is looking for some raffle prizes and party-bag fillers if any local companies can help. One of the highlights of the afternoon will be Shelley’s son Tom and Furze Platt Boys performing the Beatles song, “I saw you standing there.”

Shelley, who has two children, Tom (11) and Molly (6), who attend Furze Platt Infants and Junior School, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago, and more recently doctors found cancerous cells on her right lung:

“Ovarian cancer is known as a silent killer,” says Shelley. “I am urging people not to be silent. I want people to be banging drums about it. I am hoping that this Shiny Happy Party will not just raise money for research into ovarian cancer but that it will also raise awareness. Last October we organised a grown-ups ball where we raised £17,000, and my children said they wanted one, so this is it.”

Her children, Tom and Molly have been great ambassadors for their mum’s event and have both individually spoken at morning assemblies at their school: “Being 11, Tom fully understands what is going on, but I don’t think Molly is fully aware. The other day she asked me whether I had “a little bit of the disease” or “ a big bit of the disease”, so I tried to explain. We just live for the moment.”

Back in 2011, Shelley Hand went to the doctor’s after experiencing some bloating in her stomach. She had no pain and was expecting it to be a minor ailment. But after carrying out some tests, her Consultant told her that she had tumours on her ovaries. It was only as she left the doctor’s surgery and was talking to her husband that the reality of the situation dawned on her – she had a genetic form of ovarian cancer.

“I just couldn’t digest my prognosis at the time and it was so unexpected.  I need to keep myself busy and enjoy the distraction of organising fundraising events,” says Shelley. “Ovarian Cancer Action does invaluable work in researching new treatments for the disease. As I have a hereditary form of the disease, my children, Tom and Molly, will both have to consider genetic testing in the future. I’d like to help give my children – and other people’s children- access to the best information and treatments out there.”

Shelley says that if you sense that something is wrong, insist that your doctor gives you blood-tests and “don’t be fobbed off” and they have your future in their hands and your family’s. She would like to see the introduction of health MOTs for women in their 30s and 40s.

“I have many more fundraising events up my sleeve, including walking the Race For Life in Windsor on June 8^th , an event in London and another ball next spring” says Shelley. “Watch this space!”

For interviews or further information about the event, please contact Shelley Hand on xxxx or by emailing: shelleyhand@btinternet.com  or Sima Stannage on: 07956 993 439. If you would like to make donation, please go to: www.justgiving.com/ShelleyHand1

Here Shelley Hand share’s her advice about what to do if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer – or indeed any form of the disease:

“Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer is a huge shock because there are so few clues and symptoms to alert you to the possibility of its existence. I would say: 

*Don't panic. Give yourself the headspace to understand what is happening

*Cry when you need to .It's perfectly natural to be scared and angry because no it's not fair.

*Share the news with as many people as possible because they are your support network.