Artist's bid to raise profile of incurable blood cancer

WHEN Lorraine Bryden was first diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer myeloma she started to plan her own funeral.

"It is a terrible disease as everyone is affected differently; you just don't know how long you've got."

But then Lorraine, 61, decided that she was going to do everything she could to live as long as possible. She left work, changed her lifestyle to do more exercise and eat more healthily.

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"I am at the early stage of the disease at the moment. I am having medication to strengthen my bones. I am trying to keep things on an even keel by eating healthily and exercising, as well as art and music therapy sessions," says Lorraine from Scarborough.

Common problems associated with myeloma are bone pain, bone fractures, tiredness, frequent or recurrent infections and kidney damage.

She has also decided to raise funds for Myeloma UK, which is trying to raise awareness of the condition and also money for research into better treatment for sufferers.

"When I tell people I have Myeloma they think it's skin cancer. If people leave money in their will it is normally to breast and prostate cancer. Myeloma UK is working to raise awareness of the condition and research into better treatment."

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Maureen Lipman's husband Jack Rosenthal died from myeloma, and she is now patron of Myeloma UK.

"Myeloma is a less well- known cousin to leukaemia that has a devastating effect on patients and their families – it has to ours when we lost my beloved husband Jack. I want to help raise awareness of the disease, treatment and research, in the hope of finding a permanent cure," said Maureen on her appointment as patron.

"I don't want anybody to go through what we have gone through because of this little known and violent disease. I will do whatever I can to further the aims of Myeloma UK."

Lorraine says she has been inspired by Helen Verity, wife of the Welcome to Yorkshire boss Gary Verity, who died earlier this year from myeloma. "She was an incredible woman who fought so hard to stay alive as long as possible for her young daughter Lily," says Lorraine.

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"Despite being really poorly towards the end she took time to talk to me at length on the telephone. She was so helpful to me as I hadn't spoken to many people with myeloma at that time. She was a real inspiration. Hopefully by doing something like this we can offer hope to people as young as Helen diagnosed with myeloma."

Lorraine's brother is Yorkshire artist David Venables, known for painting murals in stately homes

He recently appeared on BBC News showing Prince Charles the huge paintings that he created on the ceilings and walls of the 11m newly-renovated Royal Hall Theatre in Harrogate.

He has offered a large painting of Scarborough's North Bay for auction with all proceeds going to Myeloma UK.

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"David said that he had painted this beautiful painting of Scarborough

last time he was there and asked if I wanted to auction it for Myeloma UK. David's paintings can sell for up to 1,200, so I am proposing putting a reserve of 500 on the painting when it goes to auction.

"I am wishing to do all I can to help Myeloma UK to find improved treatments with fewer side effects for myeloma patients."

The painting will be included in the Gallery of Pictures sale at David Duggleby auctioneers in Vine Street, Scarborough, on June 14. Telephone bids can be sent to 01723 507111 or emailed to auctions@ davidduggleby.com. The painting will be featured in their online catalogue the previous week on www.davidduggleby.com. For more information go to www.myeloma.org.uk.

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