There can be few things worse than hearing the devastating words “you have cancer”.
A thousand thoughts might pass through you head – will I be OK? will I survive?
But for Maureen Hall, there was no room for anything but positive thinking – not just for her own family, but for the hundreds of children she had a duty to inspire while working at Banff Academy.
The 53-year-old teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer in Christmas 2009, shortly after her own mother died from bowel cancer.
Her grandmother had also been affected by the disease, and she remembered her mother suffering from cervical cancer when she was a teenager.
But with two teenage daughters of her own to think of – Ashley who is now 23 and Amy, 25, who was with her at the clinic on the day of her diagnosis – Maureen’s first thought was to reassure them that everything was going to be fine.
“I knew how scared they would be, so I became increasingly aware of the importance in having a positive outlook towards the challenges that face you in life,” she said.
“I was told right away that the outcomes for me would be positive and this faith allowed me to offer a positive message to myself, my family and my friends.
“My girls were teenagers, a crucial time in their lives going through university with assignments and exams to cope with.
“They needed their mum to be well. They were the important ones. The doctors would make me well.”
Following surgery, a course of radiotherapy and five years taking the cancer treatment, Tamoxifan, Maureen had her last dose of the drug in January.
Her own journey was officially over, however she had just found out that her younger sister also had breast cancer and now she has someone else to root for.
“She is away to start radiotherapy, but she is so positive – she is even away to do a skydive,” she said.
Maureen was nominated to take part in Courage in the Catwalk 2015 by fellow Banff Academy teacher, Angie Shearer, who was made an MBE in 2013 for her commitment to raising money for cancer research.
Her pupils also gave their own reasons for why “Mrs Hall” should be picked.
“Mrs Hall could have 50,000 pieces of paperwork, but she would always still find time for you,” one said.
Another added: “She is always happy and makes everyone she comes across happy too, her positivity rubs off on others.”
Angie said Maureen was a “true star” in her eyes for making the best of her situation and thinking of others before herself.
“Maureen is full of life and positivity – whenever you need a pick me up, a bit of inspiration, someone to believe in what you are doing and give you a boost, she is the first person you would go to,” she said.
Maureen said that if she could show one young person who has been touched by cancer that it does not mean the end, she will have done her job.
“Don’t be fearful of cancer – go to your check ups, speak to your GP and look after yourself as best as you can,” she said.
“But also remember to have fun. Make the most of every moment.”