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Fashion, Health, Life By Gemma Yates

The Kick-Ass Campaign Putting the Spotlight Back On Cancer

04/02/2021 by Gemma Yates

With screenings suspended, routine work deferred and only urgent cases prioritised, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the other Big C. In July 2020, Cancer Research UK estimated that there could be as many as 35,000 additional cancer deaths owing to a dramatic drop in GP referrals and cancellation of life-saving treatment, while a Macmillan Cancer Support analysis found that there are 50,000 people now missing a cancer diagnosis and that cancer is at risk of becoming the forgotten ‘C’ of the coronavirus crisis.

One woman determined to keep cancer front and centre is Lauren Mahon. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, Mahon created GirlvsCancer, an online community empowering women who have been affected by the illness. She’s also an influencer, co-host of the You, Me and the Big C podcast, passionate campaigner and all-round superhero.

Della Ogunleye and Karen Hobbs in the What’s Your Superpower? campaign

It’s fitting then, that her latest GirlvsCancer campaign – launched today, Thursday 4th February on World Cancer Day – is all about championing fellow superhumans. Described as “an empowering celebration of the human behind the diagnosis”, What Makes You Super? features four awe-inspiring women and highlights their superpowers.

In an attempt to separate the woman from the cancer diagnosis, – and in inimitable GirlvsCancer style – those powers are less “resilience” and “bravery”, more “twerking” and “motherhood”. There’s GP Anisha Sadler, superpower: healing hands, comedian Karen Hobbs, superpower: laughter, dancer Hatti Gaynor, superpower: twinkle toes and manager Della Ogunleye, superpower: force of nature. “Cancer patients often become defined as simply that – someone who has, or has had, cancer. A hospital number. A statistic. A scar. We are calling back our power’, says Mahon. ‘Having a cancer diagnosis does not make us super. We are super because we are who we are. I’ve grown very tired of the treatment and portrayal of the cancer community. Standing by as brands and big charity use our scars and stories as trauma porn. All cancer experiences are valid and all lives touched by it, valuable. Say hello to the humans behind the stats.”

Anisha Sadler and Hatti Gaynor in the What’s Your Superpower? campaign

Alongside the epic campaign, Lauren has also designed a four-piece clothing collection. Made from organic cotton and featured superhero-themed words designed to evoke feelings of empowerment and strength, the hoodies (£45) and tees (£32) are designed to be both gender and racially fluid to ensure all cancer patients are represented. Not that our loungewear habit needed any more enabling, but 20% of all sales from the Super collection will be donated to Alike, a new digital charity whose app aims to combat isolation faced by younger patients. Support from your purchases will help Alike get their app to market faster and provide cancer patients with an invaluable support network.

See, we told you Lauren was a superhero. As for her superpower? “Erm…connection. I’m great at connecting people and connection to others is my soul work for sure.”

Pow Hoodie, £45, GirlvsCancer

Boom and Pow Tees, £32 each, GirlvsCancer

Boom Hoodie, £45, GirlvsCancer

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I may have been a fashion editor for a decade, but I may have been a fashion editor for a decade, but I definitely lost my style mojo after baby no.1 (if I’m honest, two years later I’m still trying to find it) 
Lockdown, wearing gym kit for work and not wanting to spend money on maternity clothes I’ll only wear for a few months has meant wardrobe options have been relatively limited this pregnancy, but actually, that’s made life easier. Dungarees are my go-to - these @newlook cord ones have seen me through both pregnancies, my two besties through theirs and even survived an unfortunate ripping incident during the “birthing positions” part of my NCT course 🤣 Adding in a non-maternity top that still fits over bump (I managed to do up about 3 buttons on this @ganni one) is an easy way to make maternity wear feel a bit more “you”. Along with these dungarees and a denim pair I found on @ebay_uk, I’ve lived in @newlook’s leggings - the only ones I could find that didn’t go opaque - @topshop straight maternity jeans (RIP) @hm Mama gym leggings and a couple of dresses from my first pregnancy - mostly @asos maternity or @zara sized up. My maternity wardrobe tips? Look for dresses with easy boob access that you can wear post-pregnancy (I totally failed on this first time round 🤦🏻‍♀️) check out maternity rental sites like @for.the.creators (we have a post on this on site) or shop second hand on @ebay_uk @depop or Facebook marketplace. What are your maternity must-buys?
Just a cheeky bit of midweek nail inspo to either Just a cheeky bit of midweek nail inspo to either copy at home or save for THAT trip to the nail salon in April. You might have noticed in stories that my nails are completely bare at the moment - I had my last set of gels done in October (bright red in case you were wondering). I did a home removal job and tried to wing it through December with a couple of costs of a cheap festive glitter polish but it kept flaking off the same day I painted them 😅 I haven’t bothered using the at-home gel set I have because #twokids but LORD ALMIGHTY will I be glad to look at my hands and see a bright, shiny rainbow mani looking back at me 😭🙌🏼🌈 Hannah x
Lots of you asked about Gemma’s wallpaper when s Lots of you asked about Gemma’s wallpaper when she posted it on stories last week 🐆 It’s called ‘Leopard Walk’ by @cole_and_son_wallpapers 🐆 Speaking of statement wallpaper, we spotted @shopmatalan have an amazing range of statement rolls for under £25 so we’ve done a round up of our faves. Link in bio if you’re in the mood for a little lockdown DIY
Dreamy days ahead 🌼🌷🌸🌻 Dreamy days ahead 🌼🌷🌸🌻
Spring, we ready for ya 🌸🌷🌻🌺🌼 (all Spring, we ready for ya 🌸🌷🌻🌺🌼 (all dresses old aside from the first one which is linked in stories, the rest I’ve tagged anyway in case you fancy an eBay/Depop hunt 😈).

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