The well deserved winner of the Everyday Superwoman competition organised by mastectomy lingerie brand Lorna Drew is Debbie Murphy from Cardiff. Designed to promote role models women can relate with, the Everyday Superwoman campaign aims to share women’s inspirational stories and how positive they are about their bodies after facing breast cancer.
A single mum to 3 year old son Rory, who has been both her biggest supporter and main focus through her treatment for breast cancer, Debbie shared her story when applying for the competition:
“I’m a single mum to a fabulous 3 year old boy. He was my only focus during chemotherapy, radiotherapy, 3 surgeries and ongoing treatment. We embraced such difficult times together with very limited family support due to geographic location. We snuggled up together when I was too poorly to get up, then explored and built precious memories together, during the limited non-poorly time. Hearing your child say you are beautiful with a bald head and no breasts has reinforced recognition that our bodies do not define us as people. It is who we are on the inside that matters most.”
She went on to explain that due to the lack of family close by to help, Rory was listed as a “child in need” and social services had to get involved with his care – a real nightmare situation for any parent to endure. Lorna Murchie, MD of Lorna Drew said: “This is a prime example of why we call this competition ‘everyday superwoman’. These are real women battling a real life crisis under difficult circumstances. I feel incredibly humbled to meet such a fantastic group of amazing women and I’m very proud to celebrate the real life superwomen.”
“I am proud of my scars,” Debbie adds, “These scars represent a future with my little boy. My body shape represents the safe environment I kept my son in before he entered the world. Although confident with my body image, I am fast approaching my 40th birthday! I want to start dating! I want to radiate glamour, sexiness, and be comfortable in lingerie wear. I want to move on from my sports bra! No matter what diagnosis and treatments I have had to have, and the constant mental battle of ‘what ifs?’, I am so grateful to be alive and living life.”
Debbie Murphy has won a photoshoot with Vogue photographer Rene August, a makeover with top makeup artist and hair stylist, a year long modelling contract with London modelling agency Morello, a year’s supply of gorgeous Lorna Drew lingerie as well as the opportunity to star in the brand’s AW16 brochure.
