An inspirational Ayrshire schoolgirl is determined to raise awareness of breast cancer after making the semi-finals of top beauty pageant Miss Teen Great Britain.
Ava Morgan, 17, from Ayr has vowed to use the platform to shout loud about the disease after watching her mum, Kay, and cousin go through their own brave battles.
Ava has endured the full heartache of breast cancer after losing her gran when she was only seven-years-old and her mum’s best friend Kay Cullen who was like “a second mum” who died aged 57 in 2019.
And four years ago she feared she would lose another family member to the disease, after her cousin was given just six weeks to live aged 24.
Her cousin, Nicole Aitken from Falkirk, was given the devastating news that she had an advanced stage of secondary cancer, with tumours found in her lungs and spine as well as her breast.
Nicole, now 28, who is ‘like a sister’ to Ava, courageously bounced back and responded to the life or death treatment she was offered, but will face a lifelong battle against the ‘incurable’ form of the disease.
All of this has pushed Ava to fight for change and urge women no matter what their age to get checked if they think something is wrong.
And she is determined to go all the way in the prestigious competition, launching her bid to go all the way to the finals in Blackpool later this year.
Ava told Ayrshire Live: “When I applied for Miss Teen Great Britain I knew I wanted to use it to get the word out about breast cancer.
“Our gran died when I was only seven-years-old, she was a big role model in our lives and she really cared about us.
“My cousin who is 28 has got breast cancer, too.
“She became really unwell, really suddenly and she knew something wasn’t right.
“When she got to hospital she was told she had six weeks to live, if she didn’t take the treatment.
“We didn’t know if she would survive the treatment or not. All the family rallied round her.
“She has been so brave and an inspiration for me, I am doing this for all the young women who face a fight against this awful disease each day of their lives.
“I want to share the word to young girls that you can’t just get cancer when you are older. It’s important you check yourself, get used to your body and take good care of yourself.”
Ava has also been motivated by her mum, who aged 39 took the decision to get a double mastectomy with reconstruction, after being diagnosed with breast cancer a year earlier.
Kay lost her own mum Morag to breast cancer aged 48 and following getting the all-clear from breast cancer she decided to get tested for the BRCA2 gene – which puts a person at high risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer.
Ava added: “My mum made the decision to get a double mastectomy so I didn’t have to live without a mum the way she did.
“Both of my mum’s sisters had the BRCA2 gene.
“My mum’s best friend Kay, was like a second mum to me. She passed away in 2019, she had cancer and it returned.
“It was really hard for me growing up because I knew her life was limited, but I didn’t want to believe it.
“All that’s happened has made me more determined than ever to raise awareness and make a real difference.”
Ava, who is described by Kay as an ‘old head on young shoulders’ has thrown herself into fundraising.
The sixth year pupil has supported good causes through her school.
This year she along with fellow classmates have helped raise thousands for a charity which provides vital help to those living with MS, MS Revive Scotland.
Ava has helped put on a car wash, bake sales, nip with a dip and a charity day at the school. She has also demonstrated her strong leadership qualities as the House Captain.
Ava has also previously stunned in a charity catwalk for the Ayrshire Hospice which was organised by her Auntie Kay Cullen.
Mum Kay has shared the immense pride in her daughter.
Kay, 48, said: “She has been through so much, and been affected by breast cancer, losing loved ones.
“To think she is wanting to use her place in Miss Teen Great Britain to raise awareness and do more, I couldn’t be more proud of her.
“If she wins I know she will do good with the title, she is already a winner in my eyes.”
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