Actress Gwyneth Strong lost her mother to ovarian cancer 10 years ago
Ovarian cancer charity Ovacome has launched what it claims is the world's first charity iBook, Holding Onto Hope, to raise money and awareness of the illness
What does the iBook have to offer?The book includes photographs of celebrities who are close to people who have suffered from ovarian cancer. They have been taken by award-winning photographer Andy Scaysbrook. It tells the celebrities’ stories and also links readers to Ovacome’s online symptoms tracker, which helps women and their GPs diagnose ovarian cancer more quickly. The condition affects more than 6,800 women a year in the UK.
Who had the idea for the book?
Scaysbrook spearheaded the project – he wanted to create an iBook in memory of his mother Margaret, who died from ovarian cancer. The book was created by Green Knight Media.
Which celebrities feature?
Participants include: TV presenter Carol Vorderman, whose mother Jean has survived the disease; socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who lost her friend Isabella Blow; TV presenter James May, who works with survivor Hannah Young on Top Gear; actress Gwyneth Strong, who lost her mother; and Ovacome patron and actress Jenny Agutter, who is photographed holding a photo of survivor Louise Bayne, the chief executive of the charity.
How can the iBook be used?
Ovacome suggests that it could be used by charities to talk to people about how to deal with ovarian cancer. It is available to download on the iPad for £2.49.
Third Sector verdict:
In addition to the high-quality photographs, the interactive aspect of the iBook means that it will be of practical use to those at risk of ovarian cancer as well as those who have been diagnosed with the disease – it includes information about symptoms as well as advice on how to deal with the impact of the illness. The iBook will play an important role in raising awareness of the disease and will be a useful tool for other charities that aim to help sufferers and their families.
