ONE of Specsavers’ first female store directors is fundraising to give back to the unit where she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
Salma Kamaluddin, director of Specsavers’ Northwich store, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December following a routine mammogram.
The store and its staff are now raffling prizes donated by local businesses to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Care Unit at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, which is part of the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The idea came from Katie Royle, Salma’s colleague, and the team has collected some incredible prizes.
Salma said: “We want to raise as much money as we can for the unit so they can then provide additional items to make the patient experience the best it can be.
‘My cancer was very aggressive and I have had an operation.
“I was referred to Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester for a course of chemotherapy and I have now completed that course.
“It has been very difficult as the chemotherapy is designed to kill any cancer cells but it also plays havoc with your immune system and I have spent a lot of time in bed.
“I am now regaining strength and building myself up with exercise.’
Salma’s career with Specsavers began more than 30 years ago and Salma and her colleague Harinder Notay were the first female directors of a Specsavers store when they took on Northwich in High Street in 1996.
Salma is a dispensing optician and loves working with the public.
She said: “We’re a really great team at Northwich.
“They have been incredibly supportive while I have been undergoing treatment.
“It is a great job and I’m so happy to be able to work there helping people with their eye and hearing care.”
Salma has now finished her treatment for cancer and will be screened again later this year.
She is planning on raising more funds for other cancer charities that have supported her, including St Luke’s Hospice in Winsford.
Raffle tickets are available to buy in store at Specsavers from just £2 or £5 per strip.
Prizes include a pair of £99 frames at Specsavers’ Northwich store, as well as hampers, swimming lessons and various vouchers.
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