Very nice to be part of The Sunday Mail newspapers 100 Years celebration publication last weekend.
From what I’ve been told the editors made a special request to include my image of breast cancer survivor Kate Yeoman in last weekends Sunday Mail centenary celebratory special “Capturing 100 Years of Milestones – Pictures Frame Big Moments”. Great to see Kate amongst other images of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in Cairns 1954, the Victory Parade in Brisbane at the end of the second World war, the ‘Ekka’ in 1950 … and more.
In February 2020 Kate Yeoman was one of dozens of women who had been on hospital waiting lists for breast reconstruction surgery for many years. Kate was diagnosed with rare Tubular Carcinoma cancer eight years prior and endured a double mastectomy. She was advised that breast reconstruction would be implemented at that same time. She was still waiting when the Sunday Mail embarked on a campaign to bring to light the massive surgery waiting times so many years later.
That’s when I arranged to meet Kate at a friends private little studio. We talked over the options for images for some time and she completely agreed that the most impactful images were the way to go.
The Sunday Mail ran one of my images of Kate across the front page with a story penned by Jackie Sinnerton entitled “Forgotten Women” … and included the quote “I deserve to feel like a whole woman”. The story and more of my pics continued in a double page spread inside.
To say it had impact is an understatement. Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles responded by phoning Kate personally, saying he was “incredibly moved”. Miles immediately reacted by ‘fast tracking’ surgery for Kate and 24 other women who had been on lengthy wait lists for breast reconstruction. Miles also later announced a $250 million investment for an elective surgery “blitz” to reduce surgery wait times.
Nine months later in November 2020 The Sunday Mail ran a follow up story … illustrated with my newer images of Kate and entitled “Whole Again” … after she completed several rounds of reconstructive surgery and was comfortable with the results.
So rewarding when your work actually makes a difference.
I’ve known for a some time that Kate’s front page is framed large and prominently amongst a limited collection on the cavernous walls within the News Ltd offices in Brisbane … although I havn’t been there lately to witness that … so it’s a welcome bonus to see it as part of this significant event.
Kate … you are a wonderfull and courageous woman … Thanks !
Image of Kate Yeoman © Brian Cassey, publication The Sunday Mail
