My son was just a 6 month old breastfeeding infant when I was diagnosed with stage 2 mouth cancer.

The painful ulcer (AKA tumour) in my left cheek had lain undetected for years, as my dentist told me it was 'nothing'. Despite him obliging two of my requests to remove wisdom teeth that I thought may be causing the problem and him giving me anti-biotics for the 'infection', as he had diagnosed it!

I knew nothing about mouth cancer and being a 30 year old extremely healthy Actress and Yoga Teacher, I believed him.

My first surgery was successful in excising the tumour, but a couple of months later I had a re-occourance. I managed to have a spontaneous remission after following a strict 100% raw food diet. However, as the stress of the illness started to take its toll on myself and loved ones (and I started to fall off of the diet), I soon found myself back to square one.

In short, I had 4 operations in 11 months, very much against my own will. The last surgery (which I was told I would undoubtedly die if I did not have) involved removing muscle, skin and artery from my right thigh to pad out the entire inside of my left cheek, and a neck dissection to remove lymph nodes and implant the artery to feed the donor.

Needless to say, as well as feeling shocked and exhausted, I also feared I would never look 'normal' nor work as an Actress again!

Despite all this, I had a flash of inspiration whilst recovering from my last surgery ~ The PinUp Gals Calendar.

A pinup style charity calendar featuring female cancer survivors and their surgical scars, followed by a documentary detailing the making of the calendar. Not only does the project aim to raise money and awareness, but to offer an empowering celebration of cancer Warriors and their battle wounds!

This year the P.U.G Project Calendar Gals and other supporters will be walking the mouth cancer walk to raise money for mouth cancer and promote the project dressed as Pinups! If you would like to join us then please get in contact below, the more impact we can have the better!!

Last year my son and I managed to raise £1000 for mouth cancer, but this year we all hope to raise at least £1500 collectively. Please help make a difference, no amount is too small, or big ;)

cancer is an experience, a journey not a definition of a person. You can help change lives by donating. For more details of the project please contact:

www.michelehallak.wordpress.com

pinupgalsproject@googlemail.com

Health always,

Michele Hallak and the Pinup Gals Project

xx