I do know my daughter will face adversity. Sickness. Sadness. And I'll do everything in my power to mitigate the pain of those things for her. But I want to know that I've done everything I can to help her generation live in a world that's less cruel than ours. Right now, one in every two Australian women will suffer some form of cancer over their lifetime.
Wouldn't it be incredible if the gift we give our children is a world where cancer no longer has such a choke hold. If our friends and relations fighting cancer are the last generation to endure such invasive, soul destroying treatments. If we can tell our daughters that we are the generation who helped find cures for women's cancers.
The Walk to End Women's Cancers is a two-day, sixty kilometre walk through Sydney. It's a fundraiser for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital in Sydney; a centre dedicated to revolutionising the treatment of cancer in Australia. The funds raised will go towards creating a place that thrives on discovery, research and uncompromising care for cancer patients.
I've been aware of the devastation cancer can cause for many years. My beloved gran lost her battle; my great aunt, mother-in-law and several close friends are all currently battling women's cancers. And I'm not unusual in this. Statistics prove that, if we are unaffected ourselves, we will certainly have close friends and family fighting these galling diseases.
My push to act came with the news that one of my dearest girlfriends is suffering from breast cancer. She's that friend who puts the bubbles into the champagne of my life - the classiest, rudest, most gorgeous woman I can imagine. She is very literally in the prime of her life. So somehow the news of her cancer hit me particularly hard.
She is the first of my immediate girlfriends to be diagnosed, and, perhaps because she is someone I admire, it seems somehow impossible that this cruel thing could happen to her. But it has. And she is fighting it with her incredible husband, son and family; with all the hilarity and pizzazz we hoped for. But she is also suffering some of the longest and darkest days of her life. So I thought: "You know what? If she can fight cancer, I can get off my bum and do this walk."
I want her to know that I understand how lonely this hideous, scary thing must make her feel. I want to show her, and the other brave women who are fighting cancer that I will stand and fight it with them. So a few friends and I have formed a team, and will all complete the 60km walk. I named the team Frock You, Cancer as a reminder of the fabulous outfits my friend wears ... And of course as a nod to her battling attitude.
I’m aiming to raise $2,000 before I start the walk - and I don't want to just hit that target, I intend to smash it. Motherpedia has kindly let me raise awareness for the walk, and the fight against women's cancers, by telling the story of my walk on the site.
So I'm asking you to take a stance and join me in this life saving adventure. Be a part of the journey by donating, by walking with the Frock You, Cancer team; or simply by sharing this story with your circle of influence.
Don't stand back and think about what you could have done. Take that first step today and sponsor me. You and I have the opportunity to change thousands of lives, beginning with our own.
Thank you.
Donate to Jen's Frock You, Cancer team here.
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