Zoë's Race for Life

Cancer is happening right now, which is why I'm taking part in a Race for Life 5k to raise money and save lives. In 2007 when I was working in Norwich, I had only been qualified as a Dispensing Optician for a few years when I met a lovely lady called Julie. Julie made me realise how being an optician could help a patient at one of the most difficult times in a persons life. She had just completed a treatment of Chemotherapy & as a result had lost her hair, She wanted me to style her with the most minimalist yet modern pair of glasses to help her feel good about her new appearance. I remember feeling like I had known her forever as we talked about what she was going through, how she was coping with how she looked & felt, her family & of course her new glasses which she would wear with her new wig. Julie had the most amazing ability to be positive & throughout the short time I knew her she was always smiling. As a professional it was my responsibility to ensure the practicalities of the glasses felt comfortable with the wig & for Julie to feel lovely in her new eyewear, I had a very important job to do ! I ensured the glasses were ready on time for her as she had a hospital stay coming up. She thanked me for my help & kept in touch & wrote my many letters until she lost her fight with Cancer a year later. She raised £900 for The Big C Appeal & this is why I would like do my bit for Julie & for many other patients who are fighting Cancer. Being an optician is great for the fun side of styling & fashionable eyewear but also as a trained professional its important to listen & pick up when attention & action regarding eye health is required. Its easy to forget due to the opticians being just on the high street thats its just a visit to a shop, but its the eye health that is of the upmost importance. Eye testing can detect cancers such as melanomas & can detect signs of brain tumours using the amazing equipment that is now available in practice such as the OCT. We also see patients during treatment who are suffering the side effects such as Dry eye & sensitivity to light which are all things that we advise & help with. Thank you. x Please help me raise money by donating online or pop into Eden Eyecare Angel Lane Penrith where I will have a donation sheet x