Article by Sbba Siddique

There are some moments in life that are so surreal that they will live in your heart forever. Those ones where you literally have to pinch yourself just to make sure they are actually happening! Today was the day I experienced one of those moments, and I did just that. I pinched myself as I walked through the majestic grounds and into Buckingham Palace.

I am so honoured to have received such a special invitation from His Majesty King Charles R and Queen Camilla, to attend a wonderful reception on behalf of Target Ovarian Cancer, which was held at the Palace, in recognition of community based Cancer support.

The event was to celebrate and thank the remarkable organisations and individuals that support patients by providing a community of care that sustains them through the most difficult times.
In his thank you note to guests The King quoted the departing words of the late Dame Deborah James whose parents were in attendance “Find a life worth enjoying, take risks, love deeply, have no regrets and always, always have rebellious hope.”

This time, two years ago, I was recovering from my second major surgery within 10 months and chemo that had taken me to hell and back. What got me through that rollercoaster was my faith in Allah’s plan, the love that surrounded me, and yes, heaps and heaps of rebellious hope! I took that hope and I ran with it and I choose to turn my pain into purpose, with the campaigning and advocacy work that I do. Never did I ever imagine that fast forward two years I would be meeting The King and Queen!

A huge thank you to Target Ovarian Cancer for making this special moment happen and also my fellow teal heroes who I had the pleasure of attending with.