It was the moment which completed Josie Drage-Dawes’s family and her life.
As she celebrated the birth of her daughter Alison’s son Ciaran, she could hardly have imagined the tragedy which would unfold.
Just months after Alison gave birth, the young mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Despite having a range of gruelling treatments, Alison died five years later – with Josie holding her hand.
Now, 20 years on, Josie – who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago – plans to mark the anniversary of her daughter’s death by walking down the catwalk at the Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show.
And she knows Alison would be proud of her doing everything she can to help raise awareness of the disease.
Josie, 72, of Paisley, said: “We didn’t find out until after Ali had died that her doctors hadn’t expected her to survive for more than 18 months from her diagnosis but she lived for five years.
“Ali was such a lovely mum, who just wanted to spend as much time as possible with her children.
“She was just 27 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and to say it was a shock is putting it mildly.
“I don’t like to compare my breast cancer diagnosis to what Ali went through because I’m still here and sadly she’s not.
“But I’m happy my diagnosis allows me to become a model in the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show and I know when I’m on that catwalk Ali will be with me too.”
Ali was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, just months after the birth of Ciaran.
Josie said: “Her body hadn’t seemed to heal properly after the birth. She found a lump in her neck and, even though she wasn’t breastfeeding, she was leaking fluid from one of her breasts long after her milk should have dried up.”
When Ali was referred to hospital for tests, Josie travelled from her home in Scotland to where her daughter lived in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Josie, who had six children but lost a daughter as a baby, said: “I met Ali at the hospital with my two other daughters, Bev and Tina.
“Ali had to undergo lots of different tests and in the end she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer.”
Josie said while her whole family were shattered by the diagnosis, Ali kept them all strong.
She said: “Ali was the type of person who always made a wee joke out of everything. She was always smiling and laughing, as if someone was tickling her all the time.
“She wasn’t one for heavy discussions – she just wanted life to be as normal as possible for her
family and so we all took our lead from her.”
Josie moved from Paisley to be close to her daughter and help look after her baby son and her older daughters, Catherine and Corina, who at the time were nine and six.
Ali had chemotherapy and radiotherapy before having her breast removed. But the treatment failed to stop the spread of her disease.
When she was admitted to her local hospice, Josie stayed with her daughter for the last four months of her life. She died surrounded by her family.
Josie said: “She died in the July and Ciaran started school in September.
“I remember the day after the funeral. We were walking to the shops, he was holding my hand and he asked if he could go through the gates of heaven to see his mum. It was just heartbreaking.”
Josie says she is proud of how all her family pulled together in the wake of Ali’s death.
Two decades on, they all remain very close. And she says every one of them was there for her when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.
Josie added: “At the last count, I’m sure I had 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, although I need to keep checking my list.
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my daughters phoned and said, ‘Mum, we’ll deal with this together,’ and we did.”
Josie, whose breast lump was discovered during a routine mammogram just before her 70th birthday, had a lumpectomy operation followed by radiotherapy.
Two years on, she feels fit and well – and is looking forward to appearing as a model in the Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show.
The event, which raises vital funds for the charity, takes place on Thursday, October 25, at the Hilton Glasgow Hotel.
Breast Cancer Care are the only specialist UK-wide support charity for people affected by the disease.
Funds raised at the show will help the charity continue to provide care, support and information to people affected by breast cancer.
Josie, who has used the Breast Cancer Care helpline, said: “When my daughter Bev told Ali’s children I was taking part in the fashion show in memory of their mum , Catherine burst into tears – good tears – and said, ‘I can’t believe nana’s doing this.’
“She can’t make it to the show and neither can Ciaran, who will be in China, but Corina will be there along with lots of other family.
“Everyone loved Ali and we all still miss her every day.
“I know she would approve of me taking part in this amazing fashion show.”
For tickets, call 0345 077 1892 or email theshowscotland@breastcancercare.org.uk
