WOMEN at the Barnsley Hospice are giving cancer 'a slap in the face' by performing an armchair dance at a variety show.
It has been organised by former dancer Katie Pearson, 35, of Greggs Court, Stairfoot, who has been given a year to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
She danced with companies in New York and Toronto but had to stop in 2006 after being diagnosed with the womb condition endometriosis.
She developed neuropathy - nerve damage - in her hands and feet as a result of chemotherapy.
"For me, cancer took away use of my hands and my feet but by doing this dance, it's not stopping me. It's like giving cancer a slap in the face."
The 13 women, both patients and volunteers, will take part in the dance, which is centred around a doctor's waiting room.
"We spend a lot of time in such places, it's all too familiar to us and I didn't want it to be just a straightforward dance.
"So when the music comes on the radio we all start doing an armchair dance - we're sat in the chair but we're dancing using our arms and legs."
Katie was just 31 when she was diagnosed, making her unusual as bowel cancer is associated with older people.
She has been a patient at the hospice for three years and hopes to raise about £2,000.
The idea was thought up by Janet Asquith, 55, of Hope Street, Barnsley, who was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.She is now in remission but said she wanted to give something back to the hospice.
Others taking part are patients Pam Morgan, Bev Bennett, Janet Cunliffe, Lorraine Acott, Anne Waldron, Bev Johnson, Vicki Shirtliff and Shirley Hinchmore, volunteer Prue Sample, therapist Julie Kimberly and team leader Margo Seal.
The women have been practising four hours a week ahead of the show at the Dearne Playhouse at 7pm on May 22.
