WHEN Jacqui Drake found a small mole on her leg 28 years ago, she thought she’d get it checked out. It turned out to be a melanoma, which she had removed.

Little did she know then that 17 years later it would return, lead to her having a lung removed and being diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer. Not that you’d know any of that by looking at her. Jacqui, a former dancer who ran Debut Theatre School in Shipley and has choreographed many shows in the Bradford district, exudes confidence and positivity. And she is channelling her remarkable energy into raising £1 million for the cancer centre where she has regular treatment.

Her Jacqui’s Million appeal has now reached a quarter-of-a-million milestone and currently stands at £257,594. After putting a year of fundraising events on hold, due to the pandemic, Jacqui raised £4,496 from her recent ‘Mad Hatter’s PositivitTEA Party’ at Hollins Hall Hotel in Baildon and next is a Christmas show. She has also produced a children’s book about staying safe in the sun which, as another British heatwave is forecast, is a timely reminder of her own experiences.

Jacqui, 58, of Apperley Bridge, spent much of 2020 in isolation and is thrilled to be back in action. “The tea party was my first live event since the pandemic, it was lovely to be back out there, connecting with people after 25 weeks of shielding last year and 12 weeks this year too,” she says.

A raffle at the event, with each winning ticket linked to the name of a cancer patient on a ‘Tree of Life’, raised £1,185 towards the total. “I’m so grateful for everyone’s generosity and support. Now I need to continue my goal to bring in the rest of that million!” smiles Jacqui. “I’m excited to get into a rehearsal room for our charity cabaret, Positively Swing, which will be at King’s Hall in Ilkley on Sunday, November 28. There are 40 singers, with a 10-piece band. There will be two performances on the day, at 1pm and 5pm, and the show is in memory of my friend Jason Salvin, who sadly passed of cancer last year. Jason and his company provided lighting and sound for my previous charity cabarets. This year’s show will be a tribute to him and his legacy.”

When Jacqui’s cancer returned, in 2009, she had three operations on her leg. “The cancer travelled in my blood so in 2015 I had my right lung removed, plus chemotherapy. In 2016 I nearly lost my life to pneumosystis, a side effect of the drugs,” she says.

“When I tell people I’m terminally ill they’re surprised as I look so well. I think of myself as one of the lucky ones because for the last 12 years I’ve been treated at the Bexley - Leeds Cancer Centre - and it has kept my cancer stable.”

When Jacqui decided to give something back to the NHS, she wanted to make a difference to other cancer patients and their families. She founded Jacqui’s Million in 2016 to raise funds for equipmentand home comforts at Leeds Cancer Centre. “We’ve funded scalp coolers, drip stands, a lead nurse in anti-systemic cancer therapy, and refurbished the waiting room. People can see where every penny goes,” says Jacqui.

With summer in full swing, Jacqui - who has stage four malignant melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer - is keen to stress the importance of sun protection: “Melanoma diagnoses are increasing at epidemic rates. It’s the deadliest form of skin cancer, and the fifth most common cancer in the UK. The fact that children were treated in hospital for extreme sun burn in the recent heatwave shows we’re way behind other countries when it comes to sun awareness. Just because you’re not flying off to a beach holiday this year doesn’t mean forget the sunscreen.”

Leeds Cancer Centre is part of Leeds Hospitals Charity. Dr Amir Khan, Ambassador at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “Jacqui is a remarkable force of positivity, I have huge admiration for her work. More awareness is needed. Few people know for instance that skin cancer can develop in the mouth, nails and eyes. Like any cancer, it’s important to catch it as early as possible, but prevention is vital. It’s not just sunny days we need to worry about, but UV strength on cloudy days.”

Jacqui’s children’s book, Adventures in the Sun with Edi, Hassan and Chen, is in collaboration with fellow cancer patient Sandra Hudson. “We don’t mention the ‘C’ word anywhere, it’s just normalising wearing a hat, putting on sun cream and so on,” says Jacqui. “You wouldn’t send a child into the snow without a coat - why send them out in the sun without protection?”

Jacqui wants the book available in primary schools, on planes and holiday parks. “The more we educate, the less likely someone will be diagnosed with melanoma in future.”

l Copies cost £5 for Jacqui’s Million. Email jacqui.drake1@btinternet.com . To donate to the appeal go to justgiving.com/fundraising/jacquismillion