A LAUNCESTON resident is set to take to the stage in front of the King as part a group supporting cancer survivors.

Last November, Launceston resident, Dawn O’Brien was watching daytime television programme Lorraine, which featured Helen Addis, creator of the Change and Check choir, providing a guide to people across the country on how to check their breasts for any potential lumps.

This prompted Dawn to check herself, leading her to find a large lump in her left breast.

After attending the doctor, Dawn underwent several surgeries and treatments to help fight the cancer, even undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in July 2024.

Following her treatment, Dawn felt it was necessary to thank Helen for saving her life.

She told the Post: “Helen has also had breast cancer, she’s a breast cancer survivor and thanks to her work, she saved my life.

“During this time, I made contact with Helen to say thank you for saving my life and we had a couple of chats via Zoom and things like that, and she said ‘would you like to be involved in some stuff that we're doing?’"

After speaking with Helen, Dawn was invited to London to join the Change and Check choir.

Launched by the Lorraine show, the campaign aims raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage early detection.

During its six years of spreading awareness more 100 women and one man have contacted the Lorraine programme to say that they received their diagnosis because of the campaign.

The group, who are all brought together by finding their breast cancer after seeing the campaign on ITV’s Lorraine, have released a single each year, helping to raise money for a good cause and spread the message about checking yourself for lumps.

Following Helen’s invite, Dawn went to London to record this year’s single with the choir.

She said: “The next thing I know I got invited up to London in the beginning of September to go to a recording studio to record with the rest of the girls and Marti Pellow.

“We didn't know at that point until literally a couple of days before that Marti Pellow was going to be there.

“We recorded the track and then we're told, ‘you're going to be on Lorraine on October 14.’”

With their voices all warmed up, a few weeks later the group took to the screen, performing in front of the nation on live TV. However, this wasn’t the end of Dawn’s performance, during the show it was announced that the group would be taking to the stage at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.

With the King and Queen set to be in attendance at Friday night’s event, the group will be putting on their best show yet.

However, despite the pressure, Dawn says that she will do Cornwall proud.

She told the Post: “I’m feeling excitement, nervous but mainly honoured to have been asked to be involved in something so special. I grew up watching The Royal Variety Performance, so to actually be on the stage performing is mind blowing really. But I will do Cornwall proud.”

During her time, the choir has become like family to Dawn, sharing their experiences and bonding as a group.

She explained: “It’s amazing it’s like a family. We’ve all been through or going through similar journeys, so we are there for each other. All of us have been brought together by the Change and Check Campaign as every one of us found our cancer because of the campaign. When we get together it’s like a big family reunion and I feel honoured to be a part of it. I love every member like my family.”

Following her experience, Dawn is encouraging everyone to know their own body, check themselves and get involved where they can.

She said: “Definitely, it’s so important to spread awareness and educate people so they “know their normal” all information for this can be found on the ITV Lorraine Facebook and Instagram.”

The Royal Variety Performance is being hosted at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, November 22, and will be available to watch on ITV in December.