A woman with advanced breast cancer has partnered with Rapha to produce a limited collection of men’s and women’s jerseys, bags and caps to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness of the disease.
Keen cyclist Christine, 48, was first diagnosed in 2012 and, after months of treatment, she was given the all-clear. But six years later, when cycling to a meeting, Christine suffered a seizure. She was taken to hospital, where it was discovered that the cancer had come back and had spread to her brain and bones.
Christine set up One More City, an annual cycling appeal, in 2017 to raise money for breast cancer support services, but since her stage 4 diagnosis in 2018, the campaign has focused on funding research into advanced, or ‘metastatic’ breast cancer, where the disease has spread round the body.
Most recently her appeal has focused on funding a PhD student at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, in collaboration with Imperial College London.
One More City has now partnered with Rapha to launch a limited collection of cycling gear, which is ‘designed to represent beauty in the face of adversity.’
In an inner pocket of each of the jerseys is a label inspired by diagrams about how to check your breasts, and accompanied by the words: ‘Grab a handful. Curvy roads ahead.’
Christine hopes that when people empty their pockets, they will see the message and be encouraged to become aware of their breasts, or to pass the message on to a family member or friend.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme has a 5-point plan for being breast aware, which encourages people to know what’s normal for them, and to look and feel their breasts and know what changes to look for.
As well as raising awareness of the importance of checking your breasts, the collaboration will also support One More City’s fundraising.
All profits raised from the sale of the collection will support a new breast cancer PhD studentship at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), in partnership with Imperial. The aim is to create and develop new treatment options for patients with advanced breast cancer by bringing together the best resources and innovative research methods of two of the UK’s leading cancer research centres.
Researchers hope to create new drugs to tackle cancer’s ability to develop resistance to treatment.
Christine O’Connell, the founder of One More City, said “I’m really pleased to be part of this collection. If seeing that label reminds even just one person to check their breasts, or to speak to a family member about it, it will be worth it.
“On average, someone only lives for three years after a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, and it’s now three years since my diagnosis. I’m fortunate my treatment still seems to be working, but I know my cancer will eventually develop resistance, and that’s why One More City is focused on funding research at the ICR – so more treatment options can be found for anyone living with a secondary diagnosis.”
Maria Olsson, who used to be Head of Design at Rapha, came up with the idea for the collection while working there. She explained “The story label idea grew from wanting to bring some light into the severity of the topic of cancer.
“I wanted to take something that is serious and heart-breaking in many ways, and put a light-hearted spin on it. The message is the same, and the importance of being aware of your own body was the key driver, but also taking time for yourself and not being afraid or ashamed of your own body. Cycling was the natural way to connect the two.”
Dr Rachael Natrajan, who heads the Breast Cancer Functional Genomics Team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said “Research advances mean more people with advanced breast cancer are now living longer with a much better quality of life.
“But knowing their cancer can develop resistance to treatment is a constant fear. We’re really grateful for the support we receive from Christine and One More City. With their help, we hope to be able to discover better treatments for people with advanced breast cancer and give them the opportunity to live the lives they want.”
The One More City collection launched at midday on Monday 15 March.
www.rapha.cc/category/one-more-city
