Why a Brighton woman is cooking up some cash to help fight cash

Thankfully, she pulled over because seconds later she suffered a seizure – brought on by what turned out to be a brain tumour the size of a peach.

Sophie, from Ovingdean, Brighton, underwent surgery and although doctors weren’t able to remove the entire tumour, she was told it was benign.

She recovered, began to rebuild her life, and eventually got her driving licence back. But late last year, she began to suffer mini seizures.

Initially doctors couldn’t see any major problem, but a further check in December revealed the tumour was growing again. This time the surgeons were able to remove more of the tumour and, against the odds, she was able to leave hospital five days after the operation.

But two weeks later, Sophie was given the devastating news that this time the tumour was cancerous – a diffuse astrocytoma.

Sophie, 25, began chemotherapy treatment just before lockdown and completed it last month.

The treatment has also meant Sophie has had to give up work as a teaching assistant, as well as her passion – competitive ballroom dancing.

However, now Sophie and boyfriend Liam Alexander, 24, are turning up the heat on cancer as they prepare to serve up a fundraising feast – with a guest appearance by Opal the dog!

Sophie is calling on people to join her and cook up some cash with a special Sunday Brunch for Stand Up To Cancer.

She’s urging foodies and fundraisers to host a brunch bonanza for their household – with family or housemates donating the bill to life-saving research.

Stand Up To Cancer is a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which aims to get new cancer tests and treatments to people who need them the most.

Sophie knows first-hand how important new discoveries and breakthroughs are to help more people like her survive.

“Before I was diagnosed, I absolutely loved dancing! I competed all over the country. I loved all the glitz and glam of dancing and the sense of pride when I got first place.

“I retired due to my diagnosis but I was determined to find some other kind of dancing I could do. I found my alternative was to be able to go to the gym to keep fit and take my mind away on down days.

“Now I love to take my little sisters out with my boyfriend when I can and we all love of a game of bowling."

Sophie was just 21 when she was first diagnosed.

“I had constant headaches for nearly a year and put them down to dehydration or stress,” she said.

“Around six months before my diagnosis, I started to have seizures. MRI scans were declined for another month but one month later I was diagnosed.

“I want to make people aware of how mild symptoms can be so much more serious.

“I left my headaches for over a year! When symptoms are persistent, I cannot stress enough how important this is.

“Even when you are worried or too scared to go to get it checked, It’ll ease your mind and the sooner you can take the next step when it’s needed.”

Sophie’s experience had helped has made her appreciate how crucial research is.

“It’s thanks to research and treatment that I can still have special moments with people I love. So I want to help more people survive.

“Charities have been hit really hard by the coronavirus outbreak, so it feels more important than ever for everyone to do what they can. Holding a Sunday brunch for Stand Up To Cancer is any easy way to help.”

In the South East, more than 51,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.

That’s why Sophie is calling on people to sign up for a free fundraising kit now with everything they need to turn their home into an exclusive brunch spot.

Supported by Channel 4 show Sunday Brunch, an array of celebrity chefs - including co-host Simon Rimmer - have donated recipes. They include Davina McCall’s kedgeree and Jamie Oliver’s super spinach pancakes to Asma Khan’s courgette sabzi, or participants can simply conjure up their own culinary creations.

Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South East, said: “We’re grateful to Sophie and Liam for helping us to continue our mission. Cancer doesn’t stop in the face of a pandemic. It can affect anyone’s life, at any time so we only have one option: accelerate life-saving research.

“Thanks to the extra time spent at home lately, many of us know our way around the kitchen much better now. So we’re asking people to put these new-found culinary

skills to use and asking guests to dish up the dosh for a great cause.

“Cooking a special Sunday brunch for your household is a safe and simple way to show support during these challenging times – you’ll be rewarded with more than just empty plates. The donations family or housemates make really could save lives.”

Get a free fundraising kit at su2c.org.uk/brunch