Glamour model gives back to cancer charity
Glamour model Heather McCartney made a subdued appearance at the AFL Grand Final this year, preferring to focus her energy on a cancer charity that helped her through a private battle.
The Scottish national was thrown into the public spotlight at the 2014 premiership when she was charged for stripping naked in a corporate box in what was partly reaction to a blood cancer diagnosis.
MORE: Follow Heather McCartney on Instagram
Ms McCartney underwent a clinical trial in Melbourne to try and cure the disease, receiving new stem cells made from horse gamma, when her brother, who donates, proved to be incompatible.
The blonde bombshell has been in remission for six months and will tonight take part in the Leukemia Foundation Light the Night vigil, for which she has raised almost $1500, from her Gold Coast base.
Ms McCartney has no relatives in Australia and the Leukemia Foundation, she said, served as a unequivocal support network during her treatments that she traveled to Melbourne for.
“I’ve been funding for them this year, now that I’m actually in remission I’m more set. Last year I was a bit all over the place,” she said.
“They helped me out with accommodation and paid 25 per cent towards the housing so I got an apartment straight across from the hospital because I had to be really, really close to the hospital just in case anything happened.
“They actually help out people so much and a lot of people don’t realise. I want to give back now that I’m feeling better and can jump about.”
Ms McCartney had initially delayed her treatment because she was informed it was not guaranteed to work.
She has shared her story on social media with followers donating to her cause, or themselves becoming donors.
Ms McCartney returned to Melbourne not for treatment but to watch Hawthorn cruise to another premiership win this month, where cheeky displays were sidelined.
“I was chilling out,” she said. “I’m game but I’m not that stupid, no way was I getting into shit again.”
Ms McCartney plans to balance her modelling work with charity pursuits, which may in the near future include a bikini car wash fundraiser.
Morning news break - October 9
