A Couple of Things...

Hey guys and gals!

Today I'm filling you in on TWO things. First, 'The C Word':

"But Caitlin, we've read your blog before, we know what the 'c word' means" ah HA! Well, okay, I would hope you do, but what I'm actually referring to is a TV programme of the same name.

Airing on BBC1 at 8:30PM on Sunday 3rd May, 'The C Word' is the real life story of Lisa Lynch who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28. She wrote a blog about her cancer journey, the ups and downs and everything in between. It's funny, witty, and most definitely real.

Before she died, Lisa was involved with the making of the programme, including asking Sheridan Smith to play the role of herself, Lisa. Sheridan is, in my opinion, one of Britain's greatest and most versatile actresses, so I know she would have given it everything she had; all her passion and feeling.

Sheridan is now a patron for CoppaFeel! since meeting Kris Hallenga, our founder. Kris can also be seen in 'The C Word' playing herself - she was Lisa's friend and had found comfort in her blogs when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. Kris wrote a blogpost about being in the show, and what it means to her. If you'd like to read it, click this link and scroll down: http://boobchiefkris.tumblr.com

It would mean a lot to me personally if everyone could tune in to BBC1 at 8:30PM on Sunday. The show will be an eye-opener, a tear-jerker, but it most importantly carries a lot of serious messages. I think there will be a lot we can learn from Lisa's story, the first step is watching the programme.

This article about 'The C Word' includes sneek peek videos and some extra information: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/celebrity/2015/05/01/sheridan-smith-the-c-word-bbc1-tv-show-news

The second thing I wanted to mention was an event that is happening, ALSO on Sunday 3rd May! It's the Liverpool 10K Run!

Now, I'm not much of a runner myself (I tend to go as red as a tomato!), but neither is our founder Kris, yet she's still taking part! I say this with confidence, as she has admitted to hating running, and is a member of the 'Unlikely Runners Club' which she created with her friend. 

Even so, Kris always has been, and always will be, a giver. And, despite having and receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, she will be running the 10K course in Liverpool on Sunday. She hasn't even completed it yet and I'm proud of her!

Of course, she's running on behalf of CoppeFeel!, alongside her friend Georgette and CoppaFeel! patron Newton Faulkner. If I could, I'd love to go and cheer her on, but I can't - if any of you are in Liverpool on running day, go along and encourage them! They'll be the ones with the giant boobs strapped to their backs!

What we can all do, and what I have already done, is donate. Any spare pennies you have would be hugely appreciated. I know there are a lot of deserving charities out there, all hoping to receive money from kind and generous members of the public. My only case is, I think CoppaFeel! is very important. Spreading awareness and self-checking is life-changing. Knowing your body could be what saves your life. So any money you can spare would be put to great use by CoppaFeel!. If you'd like to donate, please follow this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Krisdoesrunning 

or text 'KRIS' to 70300 to donate £5.

If you can't donate, don't worry! Sharing the donation page or this blog would also be helpful, and we might reach someone else that is able to donate. Sharing is, after all, still caring!

Thanks again for reading - don't forget to tune in 'The C Word' on BBC1, and have a look at Kris's 10K sponsorship page.

Remember, always try to 'coppafeel'!

Caitlin xxx

P.S!! 'Festifeel' 2015 earlybird tickets are available now! Go download the app 'DICE FM' to grab a ticket, and there's no booking fees! With a lineup chosen by Fearne Cotton to be announced, it's going to be a great show, so don't miss out! Click HERE for more info!

From the very boob beginning...

Hi all!

Now, before I get any questions or comments referring to the title: no. No, there will be no images of MY boobs gracing the pages of this blog! Just lots of lovely information for you to read instead. If that's not what you're into then please DON'T go away - some of what I have to say might apply to you, and I wouldn't want you to miss out!

Ever since watching 'Kris: Dying to Live' on a BBC1 late-night repeat, I have become very passionate about the charity 'CoppaFeel!' and the great work they do. If you don't know much or anything about them, please go to coppafeel.org or to the CoppaFeel! tab at the top of this page (underneath the description). And, after seeing the documentary, I have a huge amount of respect for Kris Hallenga. She shows us that, although diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 23, you should not have to spend your whole life fighting - you should remember to live as well.

Inspired by her, I naturally jumped at the chance to volunteer with the charity. After seeing an advertisement for new recruits in the form of 'Uni Boob Team' (UBT) Leaders and Members, I filled out an application. I was (and still am at the time of writing this) in Australia, so when I got the call to confirm a place to train as UBT Leader, I never answered the phone! I'd filled out the application on a whim (despite me wanting to be involved with the charity for at least a year prior), so I never imagined the missed calls I was getting were from them! Luckily, I decided to spend £1.50 and check my voicemail (£1.50 for voicemail - I know!), and I got a very exciting message offering me a place to volunteer for CoppaFeel!.

I'd been wanting to keep the news quiet, as I am unable to train for the role until September, but I want to get the social media up and running, and that means involving people I know! Plus my face will be on the UBT website at some point, and I'll want to share that with you!

My position, as I understand it, will be to help CoppaFeel! with their campaigns throughout the year, and try and spread their messages as much as possible. By being a UBT Leader at BIMM Bristol, I can get my classmates involved, and I hope to use my management skills and other students' talents (it is a music university after all!) to get CoppaFeel! and what they stand for even more recognition.

We start small, and we start now. I have been set up with a Facebook page. Just liking that page would be a huge help - posts on events and campaigns will appear there, plus lots of useful information. If anyone reading this, be you a friend, my family or a complete stranger, please go and 'like' COPPAFEEL! UBT BIMM . The more likes we get, the better start we have for spreading information about future events - and the academic year won't have even started yet!

I am so SO excited to be a part of this charity - it may seem like nothing to some, but I urge you to read up on it's importance, it could save your life.

- Caitlin x