Thursday 18 August 2022 12:22 AM Poignant portraits of cancer pain: Famous faces pose with the public to mark ... trends now
United by their experiences of cancer, celebrities and ordinary people have posed for a series of poignant portraits.
Journalist George Alagiah, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014, is among those to have taken part in the series for charity Macmillan Cancer Support.
He was pictured with personal trainer Mary Huckle, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in the same year.
Actress Sheridan Smith, who has lost loved ones to the illness, was also photographed alongside nurse Suad Ibrahim whose father died from cancer.
The series was shot by Rankin, who has previously photographed the Queen and Kate Moss, to mark the return of Macmillan’s fundraising event Coffee Morning.
Mr Alagiah said: ‘People always ask me how I cope and it’s the hardest question.
‘The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head. Despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.
‘I wish I had known sooner just how much support Macmillan could have offered me throughout this whole experience, but I thought I had to be at the end of my life to ask for it.’
Journalist George Alagiah (left) was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014, personal trainer Mary Huckle (right) was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in the same year
TV and theatre actor Sheridan Smith (right) met with Manchester-based nurse Suad Ibrahim (left), both have lost a loved one to cancer
Ms Huckle said: ‘One of the worst things about a cancer diagnosis was having to break the news to my loved ones. The ripple effects are always far reaching and just as traumatic for them. Many lonely, sleepless nights ensued.’
Miss Smith added: ‘Connecting with others who have been touched by cancer can really help you to feel less alone.
‘Macmillan’s Coffee Morning is the perfect space to do that.’
This is Going to Hurt and Fleabag actor Kadiff Kirwan, who lost his mother to cancer, also sat for Rankin alongside former primary school teacher Chloe Dixon.
