A WOMAN who helped raise thousands for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd enjoyed a visit to Buckingham Palace as an invited guest just days after she had received a second breast cancer diagnosis.
Sally Smart, 54, who lived in Prestatyn before moving to Tremeirchion, attended a garden party at the palace on Tuesday (May 21) with her partner.
She had helped bring a North Wales group of “breast friends” together after she reached out on social media to people who, like her, had received a breast cancer diagnosis.
Together, they raised more than £30,000 for Glan Clwyd, including by creating and selling a nude calendar.
READ MORE:
‘Breast friend’ invited to palace after fundraising for Glan Clwyd
‘Breast friends’ raise more than £30,000 for Glan Clwyd's cancer unit
Sadly, Sally learnt her cancer had returned shortly before the garden party, but she refused to let that stop her and her partner from having an “amazing” time.
“We had to cut the trip short a little bit to cut back in time for an appointment with my breast surgeon,” she said.
“But the garden party was amazing, and the food was sensational – we went back for seconds! It was such an experience, and the best part of it was talking to such wonderful people.
“The people there with us were so amazing, because everyone’s there for doing something amazing, and it was really nice to hear other people’s stories.
“The Gentleman at Arms said they’d never had anyone there before because of naked flesh, which we had a giggle about!
“I can’t even comprehend why I got to go, really. It doesn’t seem real. All we did was have a load of fun and raise a bit of money - I felt very humbled to be there.”
Joining Sally at the party was Prince William; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; King Charles III’s niece, Zara Tindall; and a “sea of umbrellas” amid the torrential rain.
While in London, she and her partner enjoyed a stay at The Savoy hotel in London, and also went to see the musical Hamilton.
The national anthem played as the royals came out to meet all of the garden party attendees.
Sally is maintaining a positive mindset to her cancer diagnosis, meanwhile, and knows from her previous experiences at Glan Clwyd that she is in “good hands”.
She added: “We’re just waiting on CT scans, but not knowing if it’s spread is just horrible. In your mind, you go to some pretty dark places.
“But I know I’m in good hands, because the staff at Glan Clwyd are amazing. It’s such a blessing when they can reduce that waiting, because you do fear the worst. The hospital so far have been absolutely incredible.
“At the end of the day, people need to keep checking themselves, even if they’ve already had breast cancer. That’s the most important part of this.
“There’s nothing I can do - except overthink it - and I’m so glad we had the garden party and had a really good time, and made some memories.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here