Shirley Ballas, the sparkling head judge from Strictly Come Dancing, is showing her strength off-screen as she cares for her 88-year-old mum, Audrey, full-time. Audrey, like an estimated 3.4 million others in the UK, battles Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Diagnosed in 2022, this lung condition is challenging for both of them, becoming the second leading cause of emergency hospital admissions nationwide.
Juggling the glitz of the dance floor and the demands of being a carer, Shirley admits to living in a constant state of worry for her mum’s health. “I worry about her all the time,” she shares, describing how her mum, despite her illness, still attempts to maintain her independence. The situation was so serious last winter that work was out of the question.
Battling harmful stigmas tied to smoking, Shirley’s new campaign, Breathe Equal, in collaboration with Sanofi, aims to shed light on COPD while encouraging greater access to care. Dr John Forni from Sanofi underscores the importance of erasing stigma, emphasising that everyone deserves equal access to treatment. For Shirley, it’s personal. She’s witnessed the burden of stigma, seeing patients like her mum feel embarrassed or isolated due to their symptoms.
“When my mum has a coughing fit while we’re out, she’s really embarrassed,” Shirley says. Yet, Audrey resists being seen as someone who needs caregiving, despite her daughter’s heartfelt vigilance. The campaign is a chance to educate and challenge perceptions around COPD and its ties to smoking.
Shirley’s story isn’t just about raising awareness, it’s about ensuring everyone has equal access to care, no matter their postcode. By sharing her journey, Shirley hopes to open up conversations and bring understanding to a widely misunderstood condition. If you want to learn more about COPD and the campaign, head over to asthmaandlung.org.uk and join the movement to break down barriers!