Cancer campaigners in 'unity' pledge for awareness day
Faye Bishop was unable to eat or speak for months due to tongue cancer – so getting together with her father over coffee and a cake is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Now the 31-year-old, from Wolverhampton, and her father, David, are both backing Cancer Research UK’s campaign for World Cancer Day.
They are urging everyone in the region to wear one of the charity’s ‘unity bands’ with pride on February 4.
WATCH to find out more about the campaign
Faye was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 27 after going to the doctor with a lump on her tongue.
The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in Faye’s neck, so she required extensive surgery at New Cross Hospital followed by reconstruction using skin from her forearm.
She then had to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
During her treatment, Faye was unable to speak or eat, and was fed through a tube in her stomach for over six months. She had to bang on the table or write things down to communicate with nurses.
She said: “I thought I’d never be able to speak or eat again but through my determination I proved myself and all the doctors wrong.
"They didn’t think it would be possible and I would have to have a permanent feeding tube put in but I kept practising and I got there in the end.
“I was determined to learn how to speak again as well so I practised and practised with a nurse. If you are determined you can do anything.”
Faye’s parents bribed her with promises of cake to help motivate her as she re-learned to eat and speak – and now she says she will never take eating for granted again.
"My dad was my rock through all of this,” she said. “He was there when I was diagnosed and he came with me to every hospital appointment. I couldn’t have coped without him.
“Sitting down with dad and enjoying a cup of coffee and a cake is such a simple thing, but it’s still a really significant thing for me. That’s why we’ll be marking World Cancer Day by wearing our unity bands and sitting down for a coffee and cake together.” Faye still has regular follow up appointments, but is looking forward to her fifth year in remission this summer.
She is back to work part time as a retail assistant in Wolverhampton, and is also taking a college course in crystal therapy.
She said: “I’m still here today, enjoying doing all the things that are so dear to me.
“That’s why I want everyone in Wolverhampton to wear a Cancer Research UK Unity Band on World Cancer Day – it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research.
“Just by wearing a unity band, everyone can help make a real difference to people with cancer.” Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesman for the West Midlands, said: “
We are very grateful to Faye for her support and showing how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity Band.”
