Yvette's rally against cancer

As part of an ongoing campaign to raise money to help sufferers of breast cancer in Egypt, and in association with Just Because , the registered charity for this cause,  Yvette Cowles (who is a friend of mine) has spent several years developing and producing a fabulous one-woman show which she has taken on a Uk tour including Newcastle, Shrewsbury, Hull, London, Leeds and Cheltenham.

I wanted to help raise funds for this charity because of my love of Egypt and all things belly dance, and so I, along with friend and colleage Anne Kingston, are bringing the show to the North West. A percentage of the proceeds from this show will go to Just Because , a charity formed by belly dancers which aims to raise awareness and detection of breast cancer in Egypt.

So why is this cause important to me? I hear you ask. My answer isn't a simple 'because I know someone with cancer', as I have been fortunate enough to not have to see someone in the family suffer from the disease. However, I do know several people who have suffered and who are still suffering, although I don't see them enough to witness their struggle day by day. My reasons for wanting to raise funds is slightly more complex than that.

As a belly dancer, I love Egypt and anything Egyptian. I have been there several times, and I've met many Egyptian people all of whom are friendly and welcoming, even inviting a stranger into their homes and sharing what little they have with me and mine. Sadly, many women in Egypt die of cancer before they even know they have the disease. Why? Because they keep their physical symptoms secret due to lack of knowledge about the disease, as well as social fears.

Unfortunately, there is not much help given towards these women, and so the charity Just Because was created. Just Because not only wants to raise money to provide essential aftercare but also to enhance the work of awareness raising organisations within Egypt enabling women to talk to trained staff about their concerns, find out more about treatments available and make informed choices.

Funds have been raised through many events all over the Uk, from haflas (belly dance evening get-togethers), sponsored walks in costume, tea parties, showcases, raffles, Just Because T-shirt sales, and individual donations.

So please, help me to add to the funds going to this fabulous charity.

Thank you for your support and please share this with all of your friends.



Sequins on My Balcony offers a fresh perspective on breast cancer, body image, belly dance and sisterhood through a blend of dance, drama, clowning and lots and lots of sequins!

In spite of two mastectomies, two courses of chemotherapy and one of radiotherapy, plus on-going bone treatment, Yvette feels more confident and happier with her body now than ever before. She believes that it was belly dance and the camaraderie of other dancers that helped her regain her health and zest for life. By telling her story in the one woman show, Yvette hopes to change people’s perception of living with cancer - and perhaps their preconceived ideas of belly dance and belly dancers too!