Rent A Date For Charity was founded by Lisa Connell, who in August, 2006 was diagnosed an inoperable Meningioma - a benign Brain Tumour which, in Lisa’s case, her tumour is classified as terminal due to its severely enlarged size and position in the centre of her brain.
During the months following diagnosis, Lisa’s health gradually deteriorated; her walking became impaired; she was unable to move from her home without supervision and the visual problems Lisa had been experiences where that of double vision. With her decreased depth perception this resulted in frequent falls and injuries. On top of that she was also suffering with severe headaches due to the pressure build up generated by the tumour on her brain. Lisa’s levels of energy were somewhat low giving symptoms of extreme fatigue, speech and memory loss.
In October 2006 Lisa was introduced to a friend of her father; Tony Blake, it was from this meeting that Lisa’s life changed for the better. Tony was diagnosed 10 years prior with the same type of tumour a Benign Meningioma and had told Lisa that he too also suffered from the same symptoms and was wheelchair bound. Tony, like Lisa has a very strong and determined character and through exercise and healthy eating he managed to control the symptoms of his brain tumour and is now leading a relatively normal life. Tony’s advice was not to sit back and let the tumour take over! Seeing Tony that day lifted Lisa’s spirit greatly. He appeared to live a normal life even though he still living with a Brain Tumour.
From that meeting, Lisa found the drive and motivation to get as fit and healthy as possible, giving her the strength and the ability to raise the awareness of those affected by brain tumours and other lesser known life threatening conditions.
But for Lisa it was how to achieve this and how to personally have fun in doing it?
Lisa wanted to raise the important funds and the awareness in a fun way, a way that she could also enjoy too. So, having put herself back on the dating scene, she was told that people would pay to go out on a date for her – so she said “Ok then, put your money where your mouth is” and so Rent A Date For Charity was born!
Since then, Lisa has appeared regularly in the media talking about her own personal journey and also help’s others to raise the awareness of their conditions, her “Angels” – children who are fighting life threatening conditions. It is from meeting and helping these very special young people that keeps Lisa motivated to succeed in raising £1 million for charitable causes before she dies.
However, it is important to note that Lisa does still have days when the symptoms take over (especially as she does tend to work long hours from home, more than she should and even when she is supposed to be bed rested), so Lisa finds herself having to succumb to taking time out, which frustrates her enormously as Lisa feels every time she takes time out the campaign suffers and that is her main focus in life now.
Lisa is reliant on the support of her team (who all currently work on a voluntary basis) plus the fabulous celebrities and businesses that offer their support through various forms of sponsorships and services to help her with her campaign and projects.
During the latter months of 2010, Lisa was given the opportunity to train in various beauty treatments such as HD Brows, Hair Extensions and Permanent Make-Up, thanks to the help and generosity of some fantastic individuals and organisations. This will enable Lisa to use her passion for helping others feel better about themselves whilst raising funds for her cause and benefiting cancer patients suffering from hair loss.
To read more about these treatments visit Lisa’s personal website www.lisaconnell.co.uk
Lisa would like to thank everyone who has supported her personally and throughout her campaign to date, however this is only the start and with the help of everyone who reads this, we will make 2011 the year that Lisa fulfills more of her ambitions.
Thank you!
