This year marks the presentation of Future Dreams’ first-ever Lightning Bolt Award, in celebration of breast cancer campaigner Nicky Newman, otherwise known as @nicknacklou. It is to presented to an individual who has passionately embraced Nicky’s mantra of ‘Go Grab Life’ #teamlightningbolt, and the first recipient of the Award is Helen Addis, otherwise known as The Titty Gritty.
Nicky Newman’s legacy
Nicky lived with courage, joy and love and was an inspirational and adored member of the breast cancer community. The Future Dreams Lightning Bolt Award embraces the energy and light she brought to the world with her favourite motif, which symbolises the impact she had on us all.
In 2018 Nicky found a lump while showering. In the space of a week she suffered a miscarriage and was told that the cancer had spread. She went on to share the important message of ‘check your tattas’ to encourage everyone to look for signs of breast cancer. She co-founded the Secondary Sisters to support the secondary breast cancer community, who live with this treatable but incurable condition. She shared the highs and lows of her treatment and life with her beloved husband, Alex.
Future Dreams was fortunate enough to work closely with Nicky and have continued to work with Alex since her death last year. Two years ago, at this lunch, Nicky received the Future Dreams Humanitarian Award, and when Alex told us he wanted to create a special award in memory of his late wife, we knew the lunch would be the perfect occasion to present it. It will be given to someone in the community who, despite a breast cancer diagnosis, has grabbed life to the full. They may have had a primary or secondary diagnosis but have used it to live with joy and dynamism, inspiring others.
“There are no winners when it comes to breast cancer”
Alex and Future Dreams asked for nominations and we received hundreds of citations about the most incredible women – all campaigning, inspiring and despite a breast cancer diagnosis, still managing to capture joy and laughter in their lives.
Our judging panel was Alex Newman, Nicky’s parents Bob and Glenda, breast surgeon and medical educator Dr Tasha Gandamihardja, Cancer in Common founder Chloe Dixon, journalist and breast cancer survivor Rosamund Dean and Future Dreams’ Sam Jacobs.
‘We don’t use the word winner,’ says Sam, ‘There are no winners when it comes to breast cancer. But we did all agree on the incredible recipient of this year’s award.’ Helen Addis, otherwise known as @thetittygritty, is a breast cancer survivor, campaigner and television journalist. She brings huge dollops of humour into her messaging for breast health awareness.
“I’m beyond honoured to be receiving the first Lightning Bolt Award. Raising awareness for breast cancer means everything to me. It’s what saved my life and in Future Dream’s and Nicky’s name, I won’t stop.” Helen, on receiving the first Lightning Bolt Award at this year’s Future Dreams Lunch.
‘Helen Addis is amazing,’ says Sam. ‘She’s made it her mission to lift up and look after the breast cancer community, fighting tirelessly for the drug Enhertu to be made available to secondary breast cancer patients in England and Wales.’ ‘She created the Change+Check campaign, working with Future Dreams to put educational stickers about breast cancer symptoms in changing rooms and shopping deliveries. Through this, many women have received early diagnosis and treatment and she’s since formed the Change+Check choir – all of whom found their symptoms thanks to the campaign. Last year’s hit single Golden, with Joss Stone, kept the Beatles off the number one download spot!’
Sam has no doubt Nicky would approve. ‘Believe me, Helen has only just begun,’ she says. ‘Her beaming smile and infectious sense of humour can make your day. Thank you, Helen. Nicky would be so proud.’
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Sylvie and Danielle began Future Dreams with just £100 in 2008. They believed nobody should face breast cancer alone. Their legacy lives on in Future Dreams House. We couldn’t continue to fund support services for those touched by breast cancer, raise awareness of breast cancer and promote early diagnosis and advance research into secondary breast cancer without your help. Please consider partnering with us or making a donation.