A young cancer survivor and her mum hope to give back to three crucial charities this October.
Rebecca Earley, 25, from Uxbridge, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in November 2011.
After undergoing intense cycles of chemotherapy at Hillingdon and Hammersmith Hospitals, Rebecca had a successful bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor thanks to the Anthony Nolan Trust in 2012.
Brave Rebecca overcame the adversity, completed her university degree and is now working as a teacher at Hillingdon Primary School.
Her mother, Carla Batten, has organised several fundraising events alongside Rebecca, to say thank you to the charities that helped them and give support to families going through the same trauma.
This year's Ties & Tiaras Charity Ball hopes to be bigger and better than ever.
Ms Earley said: “I'm really excited about it! We did a ball two years ago and it was a really successful evening, everybody made a real effort in what they wore, and brought friends, family and colleagues.
“As it was really successful so we thought we’d do it again, this time with a different venue and it's more posh! We expect to raise at least £1000 for each charity.”
Rebecca has come a long way since the last fundraising ball in 2013.
She said: “I’m now completely finished with all of my treatment. My hair has properly grown back, before it was very short.
“I feel more like myself before I got ill.. working helped me get back to normality. I love my job, I love what I do, it was hard work getting here but it was worth every minute.”
The mother and daughter chose three charities close to their heart to raise money for: The Yiewsley Community Cancer Centre (CCC), Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, and The Anthony Nolan Trust.
Rebecca added: “The Cancer Centre in Yiewsley really helped me with my recovery and my aftercare, and I really needed something like that in my life at the time.
“It got a routine going for me and made me feel a bit more human.
“They offered me reiki healing and massage therapies and often have a listening service so you can just go and talk to somebody if you’re feeling down or you just need someone there who’s not your family who you can just winge to if needs be.”
Carla Batten, who now volunteers for the Anthony Nolan Trust, says the charities “mean everything to her”.
She said: “They saved my daughter's life, so that’s why I’m passionate about these charities.
“I visit donors when they’re donating their stem cells in hospital. It can be quite emotional, especially if they ask me questions.
“Sometimes they ask me about why I do it and then I tell them my story and I think they then realize what a fantastic thing they’re doing.”
Ties & Tiaras Charity Ball is set to be a night to remember, with a three course meal, live band, 100 raffle prizes and a 'magical surprise'.
The event is on Saturday October 10, at Radisson Edwardian Hotel near Heathrow, with a 6.30pm start and tickets cost £55 and include a donation.
For tickets email ties.tiaras@gmail.com or call Carla on 07903 996 964.
