Paxman Attends Garden Party Hosted by British Ambassador in Paris for the Paralympic Games 

On Tuesday, 3rd September, Paxman Scalp Cooling had the honor of attending a prestigious Garden Party hosted by Dame Menna Rawlings, the British Ambassador to France. The event, held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Paris, celebrated the spirit of inclusivity surrounding the Paralympic Games, currently being hosted in the French capital, in collaboration with Channel 4. 

Paxman was invited to the event following their recent success at the Franco-British Trade and Investment Awards 2023, where the company won the esteemed SME of the Year Award. This award recognises Paxman’s continued commitment to innovation and our contributions to international trade.  

The garden party event brought together some of the most inspiring athletes of the Paralympic Games. The Paxman team had the incredible opportunity to meet several Paralympic gold medallists, including James Ball, Steff Lloyd, and Jody Cundy CBE. However, a particularly moving moment for the team was meeting Erin Kennedy MBE, a former scalp cooling patient and recent gold medallist as a coxswain with the Mix4+ GB Paralympic rowing team. 

Meeting Erin 

Diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2022 aged only 29, Erin chose to undergo scalp cooling treatment with Paxman during her chemotherapy. The treatment not only allowed her to retain some of her hair, enabling her to wear a hat and still maintain her privacy along her cancer journey, but essential for Erin, it also gave her ‘the freedom of choice’ and some control over one aspect of her treatment. Erin shared her inspiring story with the Paxman team, highlighting the impact of scalp cooling on her self-confidence during treatment and the support she received, especially from our Brand Ambassador, Claire Paxman.  

Erin has used her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer in young women, sharing her journey with openness and positivity. Through social media, she has documented every stage, from fertility preservation to the challenges of chemotherapy and surgery. Her candid posts provide an honest insight into what it’s like to face breast cancer as a young woman, all while continuing to pursue her personal and professional goals. 

The Spirit of Inclusion and Perseverance 

“True greatness lies not in perfection, but in perseverance.” – Dame Menna Rawlings 

The garden party was not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a reminder of the power of inclusion and perseverance. Alongside speeches from Channel 4 and Paralympic representatives, Dame Menna Rawlings, the British Ambassador, spoke about inclusion, diversity, and empowering the underrepresented, highlighting the Paralympics’ achievements, especially since London 2012, which is considered a significant milestone in changing attitudes toward disabled people.

Championing Resilience and Inclusivity 

The event provided an opportunity for the Paxman team to reflect on their shared vision with the Paralympics: championing resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Just as the Paralympics highlights the remarkable achievements of athletes overcoming adversity, Paxman continues to empower cancer patients through innovative scalp-cooling technology, helping them maintain dignity and control during treatment. Just as everyone should have the opportunity to reach their potential, everyone should also have the opportunity to scalp cool should they wish to do so.