A woman who survived ovarian cancer held a fundraising event to raise awareness of the disease.

Theresa Willson, 57, raised �600 for the Eve Appeal after holding a tea party at Images Salon in Victoria Road, Romford on Sunday March 25.

Theresa said: “It went really well and I was surprised to have raised so much.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for coming along and helping.”

The event, saw visitors being treated to some cakes and treats donated from Lady H Bakes and Twins Catering.

The staff at the salon also did free beauty treatments including reiki and Indian hem massage.

The mother of two, from Dagenham was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008 after months of feeling unwell and experiencing a pain in her side.

She was persuaded to finally see a doctor by her manager at work.

She said: “He was brilliant and I always say that he saved my life.

“He was really upfront and said to me that he didn’t like how I was looking and he said that he would pay for me to see a private doctor.

“Within a week of seeing his doctor, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I dread to think what would have happened if I had just left it.”

After undergoing a course of chemotherapy, Theresa was given the all clear by her doctors a year later.

Her condition has been in remission for the last three years.

Theresa said: “Ovarian cancer can just be diagnosed with one simple blood test.

“The problem is that not many people are aware of the disease, and it is sad because if more people knew what to look out for then more lives could be saved.”

All the money raised from the event is set to go to the Eve Appeal, where it will be used to help to provide better detection and treatment of all gynaecological cancers.

Theresa said: “There is lots of work that has gone into raising awareness of breast cancer, but there also needs to be more awareness of ovarian cancer, because it is also a big killer.”

For more information visit http://www.eveappeal.org.uk/