Gunnedah friend’s mission to raise awareness

Rachel Deane, who went to school in Gunnedah, is no stranger to capturing uplifting moments behind the camera lens.

But it was one of her best friend’s Kahlie Watkins who changed everything.

Mrs Watkins, 29 of Tamworth, was married in September, following a shock diagnosis of breast cancer in July.

The mother of one began chemotherapy days after her wedding and soon after, started losing her hair.

It was then Mrs Watkins said she felt like she was starting to “lose herself.”

“A few days after my wedding, I started treatment,” she said.

“You do have your bad days, and I thought I’m starting to lose myself in the way I wasn’t my perky self.

“I thought my wedding day was the last time I felt normal and thought why not have another photo shoot in my wedding dress.

“It was a good excuse to wear my dress again; with my bald head.”

She “threw the idea” at her maid of honour; Tamworth photographer Rachel Deane, who met with Mrs Watkins, husband Michael and son Noah at the end of October.

Ms Deane posted the heart-warming photos to her social media page last week, with a tribute to her friend. The post went viral and the response was one neither of them had anticipated.

“People were giving me all these words of encouragement and love and it was really amazing. I honestly feel so much taller. I feel more confident and have a spring in my step again,” she said.

“In treatment, you feel so exhausted and drained, after having these photos done, I’ve also got friends going through cancer treatment, and it’s unbelievable how many people have been affected by this (post), it’s amazing.”

Ms Deane said she was more than happy to help.

“I’m very proud of her for wanting to get it (her message) out there,” she said. “I was definitely expecting people to appreciate it, but the response was quite overwhelming.”