“Fighting to be Heard”: A Tribute to Resilience
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They came together as strangers. They stood together as sisters. And they will never be forgotten.
Fighting to Be Heard is more than a book it is a movement, a legacy, and a tribute to courage. Since launching on The Real Housewives of Cheshire in March 2023, the charity has distributed over £130,000 in grants and supported hundreds across the UK a testament to the power of community and change.
It began with one powerful photograph of twenty women united in strength. That image sparked an extraordinary journey. From that moment, Lisa Fleming and Kathryn Gordon Orr drove an awareness campaign #FightingToBeHeard for those who refused to be silenced. A campaign for everyone made to feel written off, when all they long for is another day with their loved ones, another treatment to keep the cancer at bay, fair access to drugs, and the right to be treated equally. What began as a rallying cry became a national movement. Kathryn, Kate Rackham and Gill Corry registered a charity in just eight weeks proof that determination and compassion can change lives.
Inside the Book
- Powerful stories from the people in the original image and those who later joined the movement
- Kathryn Gordon Orr shares the highs, the heartbreak of losing women from the image within a year, and the fight to keep moving forward during 2024, when she lost her two co-founders within six weeks and then baby Kate Enell
- Random moments from meeting Sir Paul McCartney the night before the shoot to being live on a road trip with Alison Hammond
- The National Billboard Campaign, media coverage, and the charity’s launch on The Real Housewives of Cheshire
- Photography by world-renowned Sane Seven
- Tributes to co-founders Gill Corry and Kate Rackham whose legacy continues to inspire
The Spirit of Sal
Sally’s story first reached the nation on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV morning show through the life-saving Change + Check campaign. She was the first person to find her lump through the initiative, sparking a national conversation that has since saved countless lives.
The Legacy of Kate Rackham
Kate Rackham, a founding force behind Fighting to Be Heard, was a teacher, campaigner, and advocate for change. Known as @TeacherWithCancer on X (formerly Twitter), she shared her story with honesty, humour, and humanity capturing hearts worldwide. Her final tweet a message of hope and truth reached 1.82 billion people, becoming one of the most shared posts in breast-cancer-awareness history. Kate’s voice still echoes through this book, proving that one message can ignite a movement.
Why It Matters
There are around 63,000 people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK today. Fighting to Be Heard is not a book about illness it’s about identity, courage, and hope. It challenges stigma, celebrates resilience, and ensures the voices of women and men with secondary breast cancer will never fade.
96.7% of people with incurable secondary breast cancer are financially affected by their diagnosis. As co-founder Kate Rackham said, “It’s hard enough worrying about dying without worrying about living as well.” Her words capture the urgency behind this book and the charity’s mission: to provide real support for those facing the impossible.
Your Purchase Makes a Difference
Proceeds from every copy fund counselling and emotional support, giving young people and family members their chance to be heard during their loved one’s cancer journey and after loss closing a vital gap in care while funding the future work of the charity and continuing its legacy.
“As I clicked the shutter on ‘Fighting to be Heard,’ I couldn’t help but feel the weight of what these 20 women represented… #fightingtobeheard is more than just a campaign. It’s a reminder that these women are living, breathing stories of resilience, with a chance for change.” – Sane Seven.
Within a year, the profound impact of the campaign image unfolded before our eyes. As the statistics unravelled, we tragically lost five of the twenty remarkable women captured in the poignant photograph.
This heart-wrenching reality only deepened the significance of the image, transforming it into a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
A Journey of Strength and Solidarity
All the women in the picture are founders, and more friends from across the UK have joined us on our journey. Among them, two remarkable patients, Gill Cory and Kate Rackham, alongside Chair Kathryn Gordon Orr, played pivotal roles in bringing the charity to fruition. Within an astonishingly short period, the charity “Fighting to be Heard” was established, driven by their unwavering vision.
With a clear mission: to foster friendship, a unified voice, and provide crucial financial support for those facing incurable secondary breast cancer. Despite the profound loss, the enduring bonds of camaraderie and support depicted within the book’s pages stand as a testament to the strength and unity of these incredible individuals.
Emily: Our First Loss – Leaving Behind Three Girls Under 10, Her Youngest Just 3
Nina, Emily’s mother, tenderly reflects in her chapter on her daughter’s indomitable spirit and the poignant words of her youngest, Anni, longing for her mother’s return. Emily’s legacy endures through the love she shared and the memories she created, forever cherished by her three precious daughters.
“Emily was the most amazing daughter, sister, friend, and the best mummy ever. She gave so much love to everyone she met. I asked her girls if they could talk to her or write a letter; what would they say? Anni, aged 5, expressed, ‘I love you; I’ve made meatballs for tea and baked cakes with the nanny. My favourite colour is pink and also white … It’s the same colour as mummy’s angel wings … if I could wave a wand I’d say ‘mummy come back’.” – Nina, Emily’s Mum.
Liverpool’s Suzanne Williamson: A Legacy of Courage
Suzanne Williamson’s indomitable spirit and unwavering humor shine brightly within the pages of “Fighting to be Heard.” Her journey chronicled with candor and laughter, serves as an inspiration to all.
“Absolute madness is this journey… but I’ve got this. Having a best friend who is a hairdresser is amazing! I’m collecting my hair in a Co-op 100% compostable bag haha! Sad that It can’t be donated though. It is fab if I do say so myself.” – Suzanne Williamson.
Dean, Suzanne’s brother, eloquently captures her essence:
“My sister was a warrior, and I was constantly amazed by her strength and positivity. From now on, her legacy will be – when you think of any acts of determination and bravery, think that’s ‘So Suzanne’.”
A Beacon of Hope: The Birth of a Charity
The genesis of the charity was swift, guided by the determination of Gill Cory, Kate Rackham, Kathryn Gordon Orr (Chair), and Euan Fleming, who established its legal status for which we are forever grateful. With the invaluable support of Seema Malhotra, a dear friend, the charity was launched on TV’s Real Housewives of Cheshire. To date, we have supported over 100 families financially, and our support group has reached thousands of SBC patients to date.
Take Action: Be Part of the Change
This poignant narrative is being compiled by Liverpool author Angela Preston and our Chair, Kathryn. The book will be finalised by the end of April and ready for sale soon after. Secure your copy by joining our pre-order list through the provided QR code and submitting your email. Every purchase directly supports individuals living with incurable secondary breast cancer.
Angela Preston, Author
“When Kathryn asked me about working with the ladies to put their stories and the birth of the charity together in the form of a book, I didn’t think twice. Every one of us deserves to have our voice heard when we have a message we want to share, and the stories in this book will show the fighting spirit they all have and the courage and resilience they have all been blessed with. Every story is different; it may be one book, but it is twenty-five incredible stories of truly indomitable warriors who will no longer fight to be heard. Throughout the pages, their voices and journeys will give hope to those who will walk this difficult path after them. Their strength to get through their tough battle is the epitome of what a warrior looks like.”
