Nominate your Woman of Courage

Prima online 05.05.2009

We want you to nominate the women in your lives who have inspired you with their bravery in the face of breast cancer. By Lorraine Conway

woman smiling Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women - nearly 46,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with it each year*. But encouragingly, chances of survival are getting better all the time, thanks to our growing awareness, the national screening programme, and ever-improving treatments. Behind the statistics though, are the real women - mothers, sisters, daughters, friends - who face their breast cancer battle with courage and determination. We're inviting you to help us celebrate these amazing women by nominating your Woman of Courage.

Last year's winner Sandra Randall moved readers with her determination to live life to the full. Sandra took part in the Prima Trek to The Great Wall of China in 2007 and raised £6,500 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. In February last year, just weeks after her 50th birthday, Sandra received the terrible news that the cancer had spread. Yet incredibly,despite her deteriorating health, she attended the awards ceremony and amazed everyone with her upbeat attitude. Sadly, Sandra passed away on 17 December last year. Her best friend Rebecca, who was with Sandra at the awards ceremony, says: ‘Sandra was overwhelmed to win the Woman of Courage Award. It meant so much to her, and she truly deserved it.'

Actress Suranne Jones, whose mother has had breast cancer, is patron of the Woman of Courage Award. She says: ‘This award means so much to me and it's a great privilege to be part of something so positive and inspiring.
‘It's also a great opportunity for me to remind everyone to show their breasts some TLC - Touch your breasts, Look for changes and Check anything out of the ordinary with your doctor.
‘Breakthrough Breast Cancer's work is so important, both for women affected by breast cancer now and for future generations. The Woman of Courage Award is a fantastic recognition of the strength and bravery women show when faced with this disease.'

How to enter

- Write 300 words describing your Woman of Courage. Please include her name, address and daytime or mobile telephone number as we may want to speak to her.
- Include a photo of her.
- You should feel confident that your Woman of Courage will feel comfortable being honoured in this way and will be able to come to London for the Comfort Prima High Street Fashion Awards on 10 September 2009.

Send your entries to:

Woman of Courage, Prima, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP, or email lorraine.conway@natmags.co.uk with 'Woman of Courage' in the subject by Monday 4 May 2009.

We'll choose five nominees, and readers will be able to vote on their Woman of Courage in our August 2009 issue. Nominees must be available on 21 May for our photoshoot in London, and be willing to take part in other promotional material. The winner will be announced in the November 2009 issue.

The prizes

The overall winner will receive:
*A luxury three-night break with a friend at one of three Champneys Health Resorts (www.champneys.com). The stay includes three night's luxury accommodation in a superior room for two, and a 55-minute manicure and pedicure per person, unlimited use of all facilities, plus all meals. Champneys. The place to be...
*A luxury goody bag full of gorgeous Avon products worth £300, courtesy of Avon Cosmetics, long-standing partner of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
*Two VIP tickets to the Comfort High Street Fashion Awards, travel expenses and a night at a London hotel.
*A subscription to Prima.

Four runners-up will each receive:

*A luxury goody bag full of gorgeous Avon products worth £300, two VIP tickets to the Comfort Prima High Street Fashion Awards, an overnight stay in a London hotel, travel expenses, and a Prima subscription.

Terms & conditions

Not valid Saturday night, valid at either Forest Mere in Hampshire, the Springs in Leicestershire or Henlow in Bedfordshire.

Not available at Champneys Tring, non refundable, prize will be issued in the form of a gift voucher which will be valid for 12 months from date of issue. The voucher is non transferable. Please allow 28 days for delivery.

*Ref: Breakthrough website

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