She’s been through cancer and a double masectomy, but she’s not giving up anytime soon.
Survivor Emma Kirke, 38, has collaborated with Huddersfield musicians to produce a top UK 40 single with one message: “Never give up”.
Just Like Fighting Shadows has so far peaked in the charts as the UK’s 33rd most bought single, but Emma and Huddersfield band Bravado Cartel, who perform the song, are hoping it climbs further.
The single raises money for Cancer Research UK.
But its release bears a particularly poignant message for Emma and the band, after it timed with the sad passing of Emma Whitton, wife to drummer Shane and a good friend of Emma’s.
Emma Whitton lost her battle with cancer the day after the song’s release, but the tragic news has moved the group into pushing the song even further.
Emma, who works as a nutritionist at Total Fitness in Waterloo, said: “Emma was really excited about the song and kept asking when it would be out.
HERE is the link to download the track
“We went through our cancer together; it’s been very difficult. In a way, the song is a fitting tribute.”
Emma, who lives in Ossett with husband Tony, 37, said: “I’ve done fundraising for Cancer Research UK in the past, but I wanted to do something that sent out a really positive message.
“That’s when I came up with the idea for the song.”
A year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Emma featured in the news last September when a photoshoot she did following her double masectomy was branded “selfish” for being “too positive”.
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But she has continued to campaign for the charity and provides vocals on the single.
“It’s strange because I’ve never even had singing lessons”, she said.
“I would sing a bit in school choirs and in pubs when I was younger to earn a bit of money but that’s all.”
Just Like Fighting Shadows also has a video, which shows local boxer Claire Shaw pumping fists to represent fighting the disease.
“It’s about refusing to be defeated”, Emma added.
The single is out now on iTunes.
