A plucky pensioner who has beaten cancer three times and survived several heart attacks is having a party…to celebrate her life.
Norma Reed is using money she would have spent on a funeral for the party after deciding to donate her body to science.
The 79-year-old, who has emphysema, diabetes and kidney problems, is holding the party this weekend and is going all out by travelling to the venue in a limousine. Norma, of Broad Street, Pendleton, said: “I have to say to myself thank God for another day.
“I want to try and get on with life to the best of my ability so I thought I would have this party for everyone to enjoy since I’m not having a funeral. “I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.” Norma, who lost her partner Don to cancer two years ago, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1964 and underwent a mastectomy.
A few years later she was diagnosed with skin cancer and not long after that she contracted breast cancer again and had a second mastectomy. She has also had three heart attacks and several mini-strokes. Norma has now decided to give donate her body to the University of Manchester for scientific purposes after death.
Norma is also using the party to raise funds for CALL, a support group for terminally ill people based on Langworthy Road. She added: “I don’t want any presents or flowers for my party. “Instead we’re having buckets in the room to collect money for CALL. “I’m having the party because I don’t know where I would be without my friends and life’s got to go on even though you’re poorly.”
Norma’s party will be at Patricroft Conservative Club on Friday, May 28.
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