Sarah Mendoza has worked as a Community dance leader, Youth worker, Theatrical costume designer, Prop designer, Set designer, Actress and now after being diagnosed with breast cancer a amateur artist.
Sarah was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer September 2009. Being 39 and having two daughters to take care of Sarah turned to her artistic abilities to get her through her treatment. Whether building a life sized ships wheel out of cardboard or designing theatrical costumes for a young peoples theatre it all acted as a distraction from the realities of a cancer journey.
May 2010, her youngest daughter said 'Mummy I hope I don't get breast cancer.' This spurred Sarah into action to create a hobby for her daughter that meant she met stars at red carpet events in Central London. Sarah wanted Sophia's conversation with her peers to be focus on fun not breast cancer and it's scars. Sophia's collection holds the autographs of Madonna, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake in fact over 250 stars have signed autographs in person for Sophia.
Sarah was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer September 2009. Being 39 and having two daughters to take care of Sarah turned to her artistic abilities to get her through her treatment. Whether building a life sized ships wheel out of cardboard or designing theatrical costumes for a young peoples theatre it all acted as a distraction from the realities of a cancer journey.
May 2010, her youngest daughter said 'Mummy I hope I don't get breast cancer.' This spurred Sarah into action to create a hobby for her daughter that meant she met stars at red carpet events in Central London. Sarah wanted Sophia's conversation with her peers to be focus on fun not breast cancer and it's scars. Sophia's collection holds the autographs of Madonna, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake in fact over 250 stars have signed autographs in person for Sophia.
May 2012, Sarah picked up the paint brush and created a poster for a red carpet event. This poster was special because it was created for a women who was fighting a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The two goals for that day were to photograph Johnny Depp sticking his tongue out to cancer, and the poster to be autographed. Sadly he did not stick his tongue out, but he did autograph the poster.
July 2012, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 3 recurrence.
March 2013, after completing chemotherapy and radiotherapy Sarah was determined to carry on as normal except for one other addition. She wanted to paint the stars and get them to autograph the paintings. It added a whole new twist to her daughters already mounting collection of memorabilia and autographs. In addition if anyone going through cancer wanted a painting personalized she was willing to do so and they receive the painting at no cost.
If her efforts brought a smile during a very tough period in others lives it was worth every drop of paint.
Sarah Mendoza Quote:
"The red carpet has been a diversion from the cancer journey that has created a story in itself. Why not try to share that story and get others involved who are facing the turmoil of a cancer diagnosis. I'm a mum who is trying to paint cancer out and show my daughter no illness should have the last say. Every second we breath is just as precious as the last. And if I can make a difference Sophia can too."
In addition to selling her paintings Sarah would like to display her and her daughters journey of painting cancer out. Maybe create a book or her paintings be displayed in a gallery. Her journey like many others is still on going with the fight against cancer, but cancer does not define who she is. It is just yet another hurdle Sarah has to contend with along side her being a Type II diabetic.
Goals to be achieved in the future
July 2012, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 3 recurrence.
March 2013, after completing chemotherapy and radiotherapy Sarah was determined to carry on as normal except for one other addition. She wanted to paint the stars and get them to autograph the paintings. It added a whole new twist to her daughters already mounting collection of memorabilia and autographs. In addition if anyone going through cancer wanted a painting personalized she was willing to do so and they receive the painting at no cost.
If her efforts brought a smile during a very tough period in others lives it was worth every drop of paint.
Sarah Mendoza Quote:
"The red carpet has been a diversion from the cancer journey that has created a story in itself. Why not try to share that story and get others involved who are facing the turmoil of a cancer diagnosis. I'm a mum who is trying to paint cancer out and show my daughter no illness should have the last say. Every second we breath is just as precious as the last. And if I can make a difference Sophia can too."
In addition to selling her paintings Sarah would like to display her and her daughters journey of painting cancer out. Maybe create a book or her paintings be displayed in a gallery. Her journey like many others is still on going with the fight against cancer, but cancer does not define who she is. It is just yet another hurdle Sarah has to contend with along side her being a Type II diabetic.
Goals to be achieved in the future
- 20% of proceeds raised via Sarah's paintings or memorabilia will be donated to Maggie's West London who offer excellent facilities for cancer patients.
- Sarah would also like to see a young families drop in created for the children/young people by raising funds and awareness to its importance within treatment. The centre would offer peer support tailored to child/young persons emotional needs . And activities that act as a distraction from the cancer treadmill they become silent observers too.