When Marisa Zahra’s five-year-old son first saw her bald head, following chemotherapy two years ago, he asked her when her hair would be back as she looked like a man.
I was on stage with no hair and wearing a swimsuit – it felt so good
Already sensitive about her looks, the former model struggled to hold back her tears, aware that little Denzel, now seven, did not mean to hurt her and just missed the mummy he knew.
“Before, when he used to see me dress up, he’d say, ‘Wow, Mummy’. He loved seeing me look nice. So when I lost my hair it was tough on him,” she said.
Last summer, Ms Zahra, 48, rediscovered what it meant to feel like an attractive woman – even after breast cancer and a mastectomy – when she modelled in a fashion show organised by the Breast Care Support Group.
“I didn’t want to go out there without covering my head.
“But with the support of the others (breast cancer survivors), I was on stage with no hair and wearing a swimsuit… It felt so good. That was the moment I started rebuilding my confidence,” she smiled.
Ms Zahra and other cancer survivors will be modelling in the second edition of the fashion show on Friday. The show aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and also collect money for the support group.
“The aim is to show that you can still feel good and be an attractive woman despite breast cancer,” said Gertrude Abela, president of the support group, which is a member of the European breast cancer coalition Europa Donna.
A survivor herself, the 66-year-old has experienced first-hand how helpful support can be when going through such difficult times.
“It is important to be able to speak to someone who went through the experience,” she said.
Anita Attard, who will also be modelling, was diagnosed six years ago and lost her hair three times. At just 46, she is undergoing her fifth round of chemo but is determined not to let the disease take over her life.
She has an eight-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son and finds that the biggest challenge is living a normal life and not trying too hard to do extraordinary things.
“When you are diagnosed you have to decide there and then whether or not you will fight it,” she said.
Audrey Mizzi, a 68-year-old mother of two and also a grandmother, will also be on the catwalk for the cause.
She has ovarian cancer that was initially mistaken for a hernia. A series of tests eventually revealed it had also spread to her liver and lungs.
“I had no family history and always lived a healthy lifestyle,” she said, adding that she is now undergoing her third cycle of chemo.
All women agreed that one of the hardest things was telling their loved ones about their condition.
“You feel you want to shelter them from the pain,” Ms Zahra said as she recalled the day – July 4, 2010 – when she discovered a lump in her breast while preparing to go to the beach.
Ms Zahra, who has a 21-year-old daughter as well and recently became a grandmother, is awaiting the results of further tests.
“I love my life... we have to fight for it,” she said.
Building on her words, Ms Abela said breast cancer taught her to appreciate the important things in life.
“If you don’t feel like dusting and want to go for a walk, go for that walk instead. You never know what tomorrow has in store.
“And when you have a lump, take care of it,” she insisted.
The show, Feel Good, Look Good, will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julians on Friday at 7.30 p.m.
Tickets cost €35 and money will go towards the support group.
For more information call 9999 4666 or e-mail info@europadonnamalta.org.mt.