Sophie's Desk Silent Auction in Aid of Yes to Life

Sophie Sabbage’s husband John has generously donated Sophie’s writing desk to Yes to Life as a fundraiser for the charity. Quite apart from being a magnificent piece of furniture, it has a story behind it – this is the desk where Sophie wrote her groundbreaking best-sellers ‘The Cancer Whisperer’ and ‘Lifeshocks’, a desk she loved and that John bought as a present for her 50th birthday.

Sophie Sabbage
If you’re not familiar with Sophie, she was one of those rare people who truly lived up to the description of ‘trailblazer’. After receiving a shocking diagnosis of cancer in 2014 with an extremely poor prognosis, she used this as a springboard to live the most passionate and heartfelt life she could. Quite apart from outliving her prognosis massively – she stretched the few months she was given into seven years – during the ‘extra’ time she generated for herself, she was to open up a new conversation about cancer in the most public way, initially through the publication of The Cancer Whisperer, but then through media appearances, public speaking, courses and a host of other channels.Through this, she was able to impact attitudes towards cancer and the ways people with cancer are treated, in a meaningful way.
Sophie truly was a warrior in spirit, fighting for the needs of the ever-growing community of cancer-sufferers, and she attracted a large following of people who she had helped either directly or indirectly, who loved her deeply and keep her memory alive with great fondness and admiration.Read more about Sophie here: www.sophiesabbage.com, www.cancerwhispering.com/yestolife.org.uk/people/sophie-sabbage

Yes to Life
For many years Sophie was a Patron and a staunch supporter of Yes to Life. She saw the charity as a lifeline for people with cancer. “This charity has so many benefits for cancer patients, but what I love most is that it supports us to direct our own treatment and make our own choices. We often get caught in the crossfire between orthodox medicine and complementary health, but Yes to Life helps people to take the complementary medicine route if they so choose, while providing vital information about best practice (and practitioners) in the process. It is also led with love, commitment and a deep understanding of how painful this experience can be.”

The Desk
The following description is taken from the Indian manufacturers:
Black Mother of Pearl Inlay Desk, Dimensions: 65 x 146 x 85 cm
“Constructed only from the finest quality materials, this dramatic black mother of pearl inlay desk is a magnificent example of true Indian workmanship. This exquisite mosaic desk is inlaid with authentic mother of pearl that provides a glittering contrast to the night black of the wood.
Hand crafted by our artisan woodworkers in the Rajasthan region of Northern India, this mosaic desk is a  perfect complement to any home decor and is sure to be loved for generations to come. This luxurious, black flower-patterned desk comes with five solid drawers, allowing you to have plenty of room to store your items. Crafted in line with the same techniques used to make the exquisite furniture that line the halls of the opulent
Maharaja palaces, countless hand-chosen and polished pieces of mother of pearl were carved and then delicately pressed onto the wood in a traditional Rangoli pattern, making this an exemplary masterpiece that will add a sophisticated flair to any room.”

Condition
The desk is generally in good condition, although it does have a few missing pieces of inlay (detailed photographs can be supplied on request). These could be easily replaced by a restorer, but this doesn’t detract in any way from the impact of the desk, and could be seen simply as natural wear and tear, the patina of furniture with a history.

Collection
The desk is located near Dorking in Surrey. The winning bidder will need to make arrangements for collection at their cost.

Sophie’s desk is being sold in a silent auction. It originally cost over £1500, so we are hoping that this uniquely significant piece of furniture will attract some generous bids that will provide the charity with significant benefit.
Bids can be placed using the button below and the closing date for bids will be the 1st October, exactly two years since Sophie passed away. We will announce the winner on 6th October.

Thank you for supporting this fundraiser and the best of luck with your bid!

Find out more here to place your bid!