Sonia Lee from Haddington is one of nearly 100 supporters from across Scotland to be honoured on Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Supporter Wall, which was unveiled on 2 December 2014.
The Supporter Wall recognises individuals and organisations who have each raised over £1,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the UK’s leading research charity dedicated to stopping women dying from breast cancer.
Supporters are invited to nominate a name to appear on the wall with many people choosing to pay tribute to loved ones that have survived or died from breast cancer. This year, there are almost 100 names listed on the wall which is displayed in the charity’s Scottish office, in Edinburgh.
While battling breast cancer in 2013, Sonia started fundraising for Breakthrough Breast Cancer through the sale of personally designed Christmas cards. The mum of two created the cards using the photograph of snowmen that she made with her family in their garden. With the generosity of family and friends Sonia raised £2,500 for the charity, which was matched by an anonymous donor taking the total to £5,000.
Sonia comments: “It was a very special and emotional moment when I saw ‘Team Lee’ unveiled on the Supporter Wall. Making the Christmas cards is something that the whole family is involved in so it’s a nice way to thank them too.
“Last year’s diagnosis was devastating but while I couldn’t prevent my own situation, I felt I could be positive by raising awareness and funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer to hopefully help protect my own daughter, dear family and friends from this disease.
“Charities such as Breakthrough have already made amazing advances in understanding and treating breast cancer but women are still dying. Until the day arrives that we can finally conquer this awful disease we need to continue to help fund charities and their ground-breaking research so that we can save more lives faster.â€
James Jopling, Director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “We are incredibly grateful to supporters like Sonia who do incredible things to fundraise for us. Without their support we simply would not be able to continue our research into developing new treatments and preventing all types of breast cancer.
“Breast cancer is far from being a done deal with 4,500 women diagnosed and 1,000 people killed by the disease every year in Scotland. We want to galvanise even more people from across Edinburgh and the Lothians to join our army of dedicated supporters. Together, we must continue the fight to stop breast cancer for good.â€
Sonia’s Christmas cards are available to purchase with all of the proceeds going directly to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Maggie’s. To place an order please email Sonia directly at Sonia.lee2@btinternet.com Cards can also be purchased a number of outlets including Maggies Centre at the Western General Hospital, Bonnie Vintage in Gifford and Rosetta’s Remedies in East Linton.
If breast cancer has affected your life and you want to help Breakthrough Breast Cancer please contact a member of the supporter team in Scotland on 0131 226 0761.