A local cancer campaigner and Express reporter is set to take the stage in Edinburgh next weekend to host one of Scotland’s biggest fundraising events for the second year running.
The Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal show will see hundreds of medical students take their clothes off in aid of charity on Saturday 4 April.
Antonia Rubio was invited to co-host the event at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.
The variety, dance and strip show will feature 250 nursing and medical students, who choreograph and perform in the event alongside their studies.
The Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal, which was started in 2014 by a medical student whose sister died of leukaemia, has so far raised £224,000 for charity.
Antonia was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2023, and is now two years into her remission.
The 27-year-old is the first person from the Channel Islands to sit on the youth advisory board for Teenage Cancer Trust.
She said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is explicitly aimed at people who were my age when I was diagnosed, and I just felt like my treatment and the care I received were tailored to the needs of someone in my age group.
“When I first went to oncology in Jersey, I was the youngest person there by like 40 years, and felt really out of place. Whereas, when you go to a Teenage Cancer Trust ward or a Teenage Cancer event, everyone is the same age as you.”
Last year’s Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal, which Antonia co-hosted, raised over £46,000 for the charity.
She said she started crying at her desk when she recieved the email asking her to host for the first time.
“They took a huge risk on me – one that obviously paid off, and I must have done a good job, because I’m going back this year,” she said.
“It has unlocked opportunities for me. I’m really mindful of and grateful that they took a chance on me because I had no prior [hosting] experience.”
Antonia described being on stage in front of 2,000 people as a “unique opportunity”.
“Not many people ever get to do it,” she said. “I would say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And I’m lucky enough now to do it for the second time.”
Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal organiser Isla Tierney said: “Following the incredible success of last year’s show, we are thrilled that Antonia will be returning for Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal 2026.
“Her support meant a huge amount to the cast and organising committee, and helped make the night such a special celebration of the work we do in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Reveal continues to grow every year, and having Antonia back with us gives us even more excitement and confidence as we look ahead to this year’s show.
“We cannot wait to work together again to create another fantastic evening and raise even more for such an important cause.”
Although Antonia has been in remission from thyroid cancer for two years, she still faces ongoing challenges.
She can no longer drink alcohol, lives with severe allergies, and will need to weekly treatment for the rest of her life.
“Since I’ve been in remission, I’ve had three or four cancer scares so that’s really difficult,” she explained.
“It’s the fear of knowing you’re enjoying life, but that you don’t enjoy it too much, just in case something else comes. Just because you are in remission doesn’t mean you are cured.”
Antonia added: “I still have treatment every four weeks. I’m on loads of medication, always feeling tired, and have lots of battles that I still have to fight, like only working part-time, or not being able to do certain things other people my age are doing.”
She is hoping that the Edinburgh Medics’ Reveal will be both a fun and poignant evening.
“You want it to be funny, you want it to be engaging, but you also want it to be sensitive,” she explained.
“You want it to remind people of why they’re there. Yes, it’s a fun night out, but the reality is, we’re trying to raise money for people with cancer.”