We met the Rutland woman "dancing" through cancer
Ami Shirley wants to raise awareness and break the stigma around talking about cancer
Last updated 4th Jul 2022
A Rutland woman wants to raise awareness and break the stigma around talking about cancer, by "dancing" through her own diagnosis.
Ami Shirley, from Bisbrooke, ran her award-winning bakery "Bisbrooke Artisans" before she was told she had breast cancer.
Ami's gone through surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, after which she said her family didn't even recognise her due to losing two stone.
Now, all she wants to do is promote her positive outlook and encourage conversation about the taboo subject which affects one in two people at some point in life.
'I've just found joy from dancing and I've started to dance in all kinds of places and people would just join in. So that is really where I'm at, I've always enjoyed dancing but this has become a natural connection with other people.'
'I've danced on Oxford Circus outside a singer who was busking that day. We had an audience, they clapped, they cheered... people would join in.'
'I will be going to Leicester a lot more, I've already done a little bit in Stamford in the pubs there and, again, a great response from people. They'll take photos they'll join in.'
Ami's now among 4,000 others who have been selected to try a new drug which is hoped to make inroads in her recovery.
In the meantime, she'll carry on her passion of writing - which can be found on her Instagram page - and has assured us that she's got no plans to stop dancing any time soon.
Ami will even host a fundraiser on September 10th in her back garden, where there will be live music food and drinks to similarly raise awareness for cancer and to encourage early detection.