A BEAUTY consultant who faced a long cancer ordeal is saying thank you to the charity that helped during dark times.

Maria Smith, mum to daughter Precious, is a familiar face to customers of Beales department store in Kendal, where she works on the Clarins make-up and skincare counter.

Twelve years ago while living in the Philippines she was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer that affects part of the throat.

Maria was treated successfully in her home country, but after moving to the UK three years later the cancer returned. It was found to be so serious, doctors gave her three months to live.

Maria sought a second opinion and travelled to London for further tests. Chemotherapy proved successful again, and to help with her recovery Maria's husband Mark left his job to become her full-time carer. During that time he was supported by counselling from CancerCare.

Unfortunately Maria's cancer returned in 2017 and she had to undergo major surgery, which involved removing her carotid artery and much of the left side of her neck. This was rebuilt using veins taken from her leg and muscles from her chest in a delicate, 12-hour operation.

Thankfully, she had been free of cancer ever since.

Maria now hopes to show her gratitude to CancerCare for the support her husband received.

She will be at the charity’s monthly coffee morning at its Kendal centre on Blackhall Road on Friday, August 30, from 10am, to offer Clarins skincare treatments and demonstrations.

"Going to CancerCare in Kendal was such a help to Mark and he got a lot out of it at a very difficult time for both of us," said Maria.

"I thought it would be nice to give something back so I talked to my manager about doing some skincare demonstrations and not only did she agree, she insisted on giving me as many creams as I needed for free.”

Maria had nasopharyngeal cancer, a very rare type affecting part of the throat connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth.

Husband Mark said: “After going through so much with Maria and being told there was nothing they could do for her, I was left in a very dark place, knowing I had to try to be strong not only for Maria during her upcoming battles but also for our wonderful daughter, Precious.

“I found this extremely hard as I didn’t know how long I had left with her. I decided whatever time was left I wanted to spend it with her and be by her side.

"CancerCare kept me going throughout this torrid time, and the meetings I had at least once a week helped me to talk and potentially face what was coming.”

For more about CancerCare, see www.cancercare.org.uk or call 01524-381820.