Lives & Times Meets Rachael Chadwick Author of 60 Postcards

Whilst I was promoting the first fundraising book Beating Bowel Cancer, I came across a wonderful blog, 60 Postcards, written by the quite remarkable Rachael Chadwick. The blog tells how Rachael went to Paris to scatter postcards around the city in memory of her late mother who sadly passed away quite suddenly from bowel cancer. It was a story that needed taking forward, and the 60 Postcards book soon followed which en-captures the complete story from Rachael's mum's final months to Rachael's journey to Paris and beyond. There is no point me trying to retell the story in a paragraph, so I will just recommend you read the book. It is a fantastic read...

I was delighted when Rachael agreed to be part of the Lives & Times book. I have made no secret of the high profile public figures that I have managed to get on board the book, but chapters like Rachael's are in many ways the heart and soul of it. Without giving too much away we had to meet up twice to do the photo, but you will have to read the book to find out exactly why...

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in 2012 and successfully had surgery to remove a section of her bowel. Unfortunately the cancer had also spread to her left lung and over the last four years she had undergone four more operations to remove nodules from that lung. The most recent operation was in March when she had the lower lob of her left lung removed in an attempt to stop the cancer coming back. Unfortunately last November Mum had a seizure and after tests we discovered that the cancer had also spread to her brain. In January she had "CyberKnife" treatment over three consecutive days for the brain cancer, which zapped one of the tumours, but unfortunately the other tumour has not responded and has increased in size. Her most recent seizure put Mum in hospital unable to move her right hand, right leg and badly affected her speech. It was while she was there that we got the devastating news that her cancer is now terminal. Last week she moved into a lovely nursing home where she can get the 24/7 care she needs. If ever she has needed positive vibes now is very much that time.

If anything the whole point of doing the book has been even more reinforced by this recent turn of events. Please support this fundraising book as every sale counts both in raising money and raising awareness about bowel cancer.

60 Postcards Video Message

The latest person to send a video message to help with the book promotion is the lovely Rachael Chadwick. Rachael is the author of the amazing 60 Postcards which tells the story of how she lost her mother to bowel cancer and how she scattered 60 postcards around Paris in tribute on what would have been her mum's 60th birthday. It's a brilliant book if you are looking for something inspiring to read.

I actually met up with Rachael twice to photograph her for the book, and the chapter will describe exactly why this was so, and the experience of our meetings. Throughout the process of doing the book Rachael has been incredibly supportive and has always helped out where possible.

When you have watched the video you may think Rachael is a woman of few words... I can confirm that this is definitely not the case! :)

Photographing Rachael

To read the introduction about the new Lives & Times book which is going raise funds for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity click here.

Whilst I was promoting the first fundraising book Beating Bowel Cancer, I came across a wonderful blog, 60 Postcards, written by the quite remarkable Rachael Chadwick. The blog tells how Rachael went to Paris to scatter postcards around the city in memory of her late mother who sadly passed away quite suddenly from bowel cancer. It was a story that needed taking forward, and the 60 Postcards book soon followed which en-captures the complete story from Rachael's mum's final months to Rachael's journey to Paris and beyond. There is no point me trying to retell the story in a paragraph, so I will just recommend you read the book. It is a fantastic read...

I have made no secret of the high profile public figures that I have managed to get on board the new book, but chapters like Rachael's are in many ways the heart and soul of the new book. When I asked her to be a part of the book she immediately said yes. Without giving too much away we had to meet up twice to do the photo, but you will have to read the book to find out exactly why...