In September it is  Gynaecological Cancer Awareness month so I am trying to raise funds for Professor Gourley in Edinburgh who is one of the only people in the world carrying out research into this rare cancer.

I am raffling one of my paintings (which are always inspired by  the elements and nature).  £5 per entry ( you can buy as many virtual tickets as you like!)  The draw will be on 24th September 

This picture is called Savernake Forest in the Spring, it is 20" x 16"  (acrylics on canvas). See the image above.

If you donate to Professor Gourley directly or via this page  please let me know by email (alex@alexcoppock-bunce.com) or Facebook message me with your contact details so I can enter you into the raffle and contact you if you win. If you would prefer to pay in cash let me know and we can arrange this.

The painting is light in weight and can be posted anywhere in the world ( I think).

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer last year in October after a number of visits to the doctor with vague symptoms which were missed for about two years. Please always consider the possibility of this if you have frequent urinary tract infections or need to pee frequently, pain in the abdomen or back or pelvis, feel very full quickly while eating, change in bowel habits, bloating, increase in tummy size or fatigue.

I was grateful to the NHS for all the work they did for me but it was a huge shock and it was even more frightening to know that it is a chemo resistant cancer. After the surgery there was nothing else they could offer other than 6 months of chemo and now a hormone blocking drug. 

I am causing my oncologist few grey hairs by asking a lot of questions, many of which he cannot answer. I did the chemo to give myself the best chance and hope it has worked. This cancer behaves differently from other Ovarian Cancers and is unpredictable, but like the others has a high incidence of recurrence.

 Like many others suffering from life limiting illnesses, we are constantly looking into complementary approaches too. The uncertainty of the outcome of  Brexit is also frightening  and its impact on medical research and clinical trials. It is a tough time.

Until the surgery I was a psychotherapist and artist, running my own practice after 30+ years in the civil service and the corporate sector.  I have had to retire but I want to use my time wisely and to greatest effect to live well while learning to implement the suggestions I gave to clients, and  manage my self care better. 

At present I am gaining strength and stamina so I am still an environmental activist, an NHS supporter and I am trying to make the world a more equal place for those who have been exploited or bullied. So you may see me around on Facebook and Twitter giving  people who abuse their power a hard time. That is one thing a potentially life limiting illness gives you- a sense of urgency and not putting up with rubbish any more. But I still want to make a positive difference while I can.

I hope you don't think I am being too spammy, I don't normally ask for funds or for sharing but this is really important to so many people who have got  no real hope as no attention is given to this specific cancer. So I would really appreciate it if you could share this with your friends and family and ask them to share it too. We need to raise awareness of this disease and find a cure. It gets diagnosed far too late usually.  

 Low grade serous ovarian cancer is a rare and under-researched disease. It affects young women and is resistant to standard treatment. At the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre we are screening panels of new drugs in the laboratory in order to identify those most likely to be beneficial in the clinic.