I am a mother of two gorgeous angels (a mother is biased of course), a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a university student, a pre-service teacher, a friend and now a cancer patient. For those that know me, I played softball for many years, too many to record I think. During those years, I made many special friendships that I treasure immensely.  I thank you all for the love and support you gave me in the past and thank you again now for your prayers over the last 18 months. For those who don’t know me, welcome to this site and thank you for your support towards this important cause. A special thank you to my two beautiful friends, Marty and Grossy who are the founders of Play for a Cure Foundation, with the help of Brooke, you are all angels.

My Story

Most of us live our lives with uncertainties, a mixture of events, accomplishments and failures. A progressive journey of living, loving, laughing, sometimes not even thinking what would be or might be. When you come face to face with a life threatening disease all questions, needs, wants, and emotions become entwined in a web that embeds your daily thoughts, feelings and way of living – every minute of every day.

This is the story of my journey so far, after learning I had bowel cancer and inoperable secondary cancer of my liver.  Living with cancer for the past 18 months has been the hardest challenge I’ve had to face. However, I am a fighter, a strong competitor who thrives on competition and will give it my all to defeat this opponent. I am moving forward with the tremendous help of my wonderful family and friends who walk beside me, with me, and around me to a destination unknown.

Although I have wonderful people to surround me ….. living with this disease is a lonely trail. It is difficult when you have been a team player all your life and fiercely independent to accept help from others and allow them to do things for you.

It is not the fear of losing your life, or the uncertainty or even struggling with the lack of physical strength and stamina to fight that is difficult….for me….the worst is knowing there is a possibility I may not be around for my children as they grow. The thought of my children not having a Mum to talk to during difficult times or share the happy times is distressing. People say, “You can’t think like that”, but it’s reality!

I’m not being pessimistic….in fact far from it. I remain optimistic but retain a sense of reality… it keeps me grounded. My optimism arises from knowing that I’m young (youngish anyway) to have contracted this disease (though not the youngest), was physically fit, ate healthy all of my life and therefore have all the right mechanisms to win this fight… right?  Right!

The Beginning

Bowel cancer is not the easiest of Cancers to talk about for obvious reasons and many people shy away rather than discuss its implications. However, I’ve decided to be as honest and up front as possible.

I’d been training hard to get my body into shape for my wedding November 29, 2008. After the wedding, I kept training to enter the 2 km beach run at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, when I couldn’t find a surf boat crew to compete with. I also planned to enter the Gold Coast Marathon in July 2009. I became excited about competing again – needing and wanting that fire in my belly once more after letting competition go. It was time to put aside the excuses of lack of time due to kids and uni.

Around January, I looked at my stools one day because my motions were a little irregular something I put down to diet and tough exercise regime. I saw what I know now was blood but at the time it looked like food fragments, so I wasn’t concerned.

On April 19^th 2009 I went for a particularly long run, almost 2hrs. I came home cleaned up the dishes from breakfast and walked into the laundry to strip off the soaking, sweaty clothes that clung to me. I noticed quite a lot of blood in my underwear. Initially, I thought it was my period as it was the same colouring and a decent amount. A second look (mainly because my period was not due for another 2 weeks) revealed the origin of the blood dispersion. I knew something was not right, but I had no idea of the repercussions.

I went to the Medical Centre at Uni the following day. Have to say I was quite embarrassed, talking about my backside and faeces to a young, handsome doctor. Thank goodness he was only a student and brought in a much older doctor to discuss it further. They referred me to my usual GP for the following day, opting not to do an internal of my rectum…..I’m afraid I was much too embarrassed with doctors I didn’t know.

My GP arranged for a colonoscopy – Phew!! No Internal at this time ….. how relieved was I. I could think of nothing worse than someone looking up my rectum.  A Colonoscopy takes the embarrassment away. Under anaesthetic, you don’t know or feel a thing – the best option I believe! He assured me, knowing my background, lifestyle etc for many years, that I was too young for cancer and there were many reasons why I could be bleeding from the bowel…….an internal haemorrhoid, or slight tear in bowel wall, were a couple of suggestions. Even when you Google it – there are literally hundreds of reasons one can bleed from the bowel.

With this assurance and knowing that I had to wait a month anyway for an appointment, I decided to delay further so I could complete my teaching practicum throughout May, 2009. Besides I was busy supporting my father who had been diagnosed with Lung cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy before having his right lung removed.

Toward the third week and into the fourth, I developed painful cramping around my lower abdomen. It was like a band of pain or tightness wrapped around my hips and into my lower back and lower abdomen. The pain in my hips I blamed on all the running I had been doing…..after all I was not a spring chicken doing about 50km of running a week.  It was then I decided to book in for the colonoscopy.

Strangely enough I was not concerned, I was fit (fittest I’d been for about 2yrs), I ate well, had not been in severe pain or pain for a considerable length of time. I was thinking this was going to be a waste of time and money………..how wrong was I?

June 19, 2009 – I spent the night drinking litres of fluid until I had diarrhoea to clean out my bowels completely in preparation of the camera tube being inserted into my rectum to search throughout my colon/ large bowel.

June 20, 2009 – The scariest day of my life and a day that changed my life forever! I entered the doctor’s surgery confidently, chatting casually to nurses and doctors. Suddenly I found myself waking in recovery to one of the doctors asking had I been in pain for some time. Confusingly I responded “Well, not really!”

“Mm….well you have a rather large growth in your bowel”. I don’t remember too much after that. I remember receiving plenty of attention from the nurse, which seemed a little odd at the time. My head was spinning with questions while trying to recover from the anaesthetic. Then quietly I asked the nurse “Is there a difference between a large growth and a tumour?”

The week that followed was a whirlwind. Back to the GP on Monday to confirm the Tumour was there and confirmation it was a Cancer growth. He quickly referred me to a colorectal surgeon and an appointment the following day. This was all so surreal and moving extremely fast.

I can’t have cancer; my grandparents lived to their 80’s and 90’s. I’m too young and fit to have this disease…….this sort of thing doesn’t happen to me, it happens to other people……… like a friend of a friend……….REALITY CHECK.

So Doc x told me all about it. Where it was, the need for surgery and what function I would likely have afterwards (I was lucky and didn’t have to endure a colonoscopy bag/stoma). Interestingly he informed me I could have had this disease for about 2 years ……without a single symptom.   My advice to you all, any bowel changes at all (diarrhoea to constipation) turning 35-40, get a colonoscopy …. it doesn’t hurt, but it does check your whole bowel.  People who are contracting this horrible life threatening disease are getting younger and younger.

It is one of the most successfully treated cancers WHEN DETECTED EARLY. The problem is, if you are fit, healthy and happy like I was….there are no symptoms to detect.  Unfortunately by the time I did, it had already passed through my bowel wall, entered my lymph nodes and made its way to my liver. The metastases tumours settled in 12 little places throughout liver and unfortunately were not satisfied to clump in one area. Due to the positions of the tumours and the instability of the cancer itself, I am unable to have them removed or have a liver transplant……doesn’t that suck!!!

I endured two different lines (meaning two different types) of Chemotherapy over 14 months every fortnight. During this time, there were many highs and lows. The side effects were minimal to begin with, so much so, that I was still able to play indoor netball. Scan results displayed positive results with the tumours shrinking. Then the side effects got worse and I became quite debilitated. I was in and out of hospital with heart palpitations, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. Doctors ceased that treatment regime when the tumours began growing again. They encouraged me to trial another chemo formula and drug.

The side effects began immediately and were horrendous compared to the previous regime. I required 24-hour care for a while and was in and out of hospital with massive headaches and severe facial pain. This put tremendous pressure on my husband, my children, my parents and parent-in-laws not to mention the worry for them, my family and friends. The doctors decreased the medication twice before it became bearable, however, I still required support and care and was unable to drive or look after my children for several months. It was important for me though that the children understood it was the chemo making me sick, not the cancer.

We finally received some good news. The tumours had shrunk 23.5%  – a great reduction. The trial had been a nightmare but receiving these results made it all worthwhile, until the next lot of scan results in October 2010. The tumours had grown significantly which made me ineligible for the drugs anymore.

What next?

The doctors did not have any other chemo drugs to treat me, but told me I was eligible for another drug providing it was compatible with my tumour – one that will not diminish the tumours but hopefully keep it contained. My tumour is compatible and they have now applied to the drug company for approval.  This drug is not on PBS so it is likely to be costly if the company doesn’t subsidise.

What do I do in the mean time?

I’ve gone back to my roots…..literally! I now drink freshly made juices, eat herbs renowned for decreasing tumours, cleansing the blood and eliminating toxic wastes. I also drink organic herbal teas, visit the chiropractor regularly, practice yoga and guided meditation, say lots of prayers and affirmations, have fun with my family, rest, eat loads of asparagus and do anything else I hear that is natural and kills cancer.

I am still open to the medical options but now that I am feeling so well I hope it will not be necessary as my tumours will have shrunk….fingers, toes and anything crossed.

Some little things to share from my babes:

It breaks my heart but at the same time gives me great joy and warmth when my little ones bring home a picture they’ve drawn at school like Cody did. A drawing of me standing in the sunset looking at the mountains, smiling, grass all around and he says ”that’s not you now, that’s you all better, with no tumours!”

Abby came home particularly emotional one day, I think I’d been away for over a week and quite innocently says “This Mums had enough of chemo, no more chemo for this Mum, another mum can have it”. Which leads me to another thought…I have never felt angry enough to say “why me, why not someone else?” I could never wish this on anyone…friend, family or enemy.

Now, I am thankful for every day and aim to live each day with love, joy and happiness. I am thankful for my partner who has supported me immensely, for my beautiful children, for my family who have turned their lives upside down to help and to my wide circle of amazing friends. The love, prayers and constant support has been overwhelming. I truly feel blessed to have so many wonderful people around me through this difficult time.

Some words I live by:

Look towards Faith…….find spirituality which is about developing a sense of hope and faith to give us strength and power.

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Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr., Life’s Little Instruction Book

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Life’s vision is one through a kaleidoscope,

Every image of light results in a new direction.

It is easy to follow the brightest light without acknowledging the path,

Whereas it’s the journey and ones milestones that create a person’s true self.

~Brett McCullagh (07/12/10)

God Bless you all and may you and your family live with caring hearts, good health, happy times and treasured moments.

Love and Blessings

Jo

5/5/11

It is with the heaviest heart that I update Joey’s words, with the news of her passing.  Joey peacefully passed on last night, finally losing her battle with cancer.  But we implore you not to give up hope – Joey never did and she kept that beautiful smile on her face right up until the end. Keep believing – we can #endcancer.

The post A word from Joey appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

Video uploaded on Youtube, check it out by clicking here

Pre-Game

We are very grateful to the Cage Breakfast Show who interviewed Gorden Tallis on Friday mornings show, promoting the game – click below to hear what The Cage and Gorden had to say, pre-event!

Gorden and the Cage promote Yellow Socks Softball Challenge

Play for a cure Auction Promotion on The Cage

And then the MMM Dead Set Legend show who interviewed Tanya Harding Game day.

Tanya Harding’s interview on the Deadset Legend Show

Game Day

The inaugural Yellow Socks Softball Challenge has come and gone and there is only one way to describe the day.

A HIT!

The rains held off all morning, allowing the wonderful volunteer workers of the Brisbane Softball Association to prepare the International softball diamond to be in top notch condition.

The players, both the Broncos and Aussie Softball All-stars, started arriving around 10.30am and unfortunately so did the rains. The organising committee’s worst nightmares were being realised! With all players gathered, the contingency plan was being discussed however luckily for the crowds that had been gathering since 9am, and for the organising committee, the players all voted to PLAY BALL.

After a brief warm up the formalities were underway with Emcee Kim Cooper warming up the crowd and then handing over the microphone to Gordon Cunningham, BSA President, who welcomed our guests and the gathering crowds. Touching speeches were made by Tyleisha Dunn and Graham McColm about their loved ones, who passed late last year. Roving mike lady, Stephanie Gill then called Gorden Tallis and softball legend Joyce Lester to the home plate to toss the coin and ask them their game plans. As you can imagine, the responses were amusing!

Then what everybody was waiting for – it was game on! The rain continued but the skills on display were awesome and it has to be said that the Broncos were naturals and in fact, revelled in the rain. It would seem the more it rained, the more the boys enjoyed it. The game started with a huge home run over left field fence by Australian Softball Captain Stacey Porter and that hit set the scene for the entire game. There were lots of hits, lots of sliding but most of all lots of fun being had by the players and the crowds. Stephanie kept the players in contact with the crowd with her impromptu interviews which had everybody laughing and getting an insight in to what the players were thinking. It may have been raining, some would say cats and dogs, but the interaction with the players and their game play kept the crowd enthralled, and most importantly, kept them there!

The game was scheduled to run for one hour, but as the players were having so much fun, it went overtime and this allowed the Broncos to shoot ahead in their last innings with several long home run hits. Unofficially the Broncos scored a win – 18 to 12. It must be noted that the pitching became kinder as the rains and the home run hits increased!

After the game was completed, Stacey and Australian Rugby League Captain, Darren Lockyer, were present to draw the winning tickets in the raffle prizes. Thanks to the Qld Softball Heat for selling the tickets and walking the donation buckets around the grounds.

There were plenty of winners on the day with all prizes claimed. 2 were donated back to the organising committee which we are very grateful for, everybody was so generous on the day.

But the big winner on the day was the game of softball. With plenty of people in the crowd not having ever watched a game before, it is safe to say that they will talk about softball and the spirit of how it was played for days and weeks to come.

Needless to say the day could not have happened without the work of so many volunteers so now we would like to take the time to thank them.

Sincere thanks go to: –

• the organising committee, Graham McColm, Kim Cooper, Brooke Wilkins, Leigh Muller, Leigh Martyn and Carol Vellnagel – your drive made this happen.

• Jason Greenhalgh, Major League Corporate Marketing, for volunteering your time and marketing expertise! Jason you made things so much easier to do!

• Brisbane Softball Association – President Gordon Cunningham, Sue Sanders, Anne Brock, Dave Trotman, Mark Willingham, Alana Cutmore, Karen and Peter Elliot, Mick Gregory – thank you for allowing us to use Downey Park to stage the event and for your patience and understanding during our meetings. Also for your work done in getting the event happening. You are amazing!

• All the sponsors that donated their time and/or money – our eternal thanks!

• The numerous volunteers from the Clubs who participate at Downey Park each weekend, there are so many of you we couldn’t list you all. You know who you are and you too have our thanks. Its people like you who enable events like this to occur.

• The game umpires! Ron Trow, Helen Strauss and Ian Goodman – thanks for standing in the rain and umpiring the game in the spirit it was played. We know you enjoyed it as much as the players.

• The spectators who turned up, even with the weather as foul as it was. You came, you stayed and we are very happy to know that you had a great day!

• The Brisbane Broncos! Ivan Henjak, what a sport for allowing your team to join in! Darren Lockyer, Gorden Tallis, Allan Langer, Corey Parker, Ben Hannant, Jharal Yow Yeh, Josh Hoffman, Matt Gillett, Dale Copley and Josh McGuire – thank you guys – we know you have lots of demands on your time. We can’t thank you enough for playing! Tyleisha Dunn, ok you are not a Brisbane Bronco but you did yourself proud pitching them to a win!

• The Aussie Softball All-stars! Thank you ladies, even though some of you have been retired for many years – you still have it! Stacey Porter, Joyce Lester, Tanya Harding, Melanie Roche, Brooke Wilkins, Tracey Mosley, Frankie McRae,Haylea Petrie, Marissa Warburton, Kelly McKellar-Nathan and Jodie Bowering.

• Personally I would like to thank my fellow Director Kelli Oates, for coming down from Rockhampton and being my goffer.  P4AC Team Players, Sueann Yates, Tara Speakman and Sherridan Darroch for braving the rain and manning the P4AC stall all day.  Thank you ladies, you made my job on the day so much easier!

Our wish now is that we can conduct the event next year – bigger and better!

Below are the photos from the day, as well as our sponsor’s logos (with links to their websites).

Leigh

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The post Yellow socks Softball Challenge – the game has been played and won! appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

The feature fundraising item is a rare and original autographed Broncos jersey, (beautifully framed by Bizarre Framing of Windsor) which has been signed by the six Broncos Club captains – Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis and Darren Lockyer.  It will look fantastic in any home, bar or board room.  All funds raised will be directed to Cancer research and support programs through the Play for a Cure Foundation and junior softball development programs through the Brisbane Softball Association. 

To place your bid for this rare item go to our auction page.  The on-line auction, using the facilities of Ebay, will commence from 9pm Sat 27th November and finish at 9pm Tue 7th December.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event on Dec 4th where there will be plenty of food, drinks and activities for the kids and music entertainment during the afternoon. Admission is free!

FYI  there will be an article in the Sunday Mail this weekend

The post Yellow Socks Softball Challenge Teams Announced! appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

The Pink Panthers participated in Cancer Council Queensland’s Girls Night in – with a bit of a twist.

All Panther players (Under 15 to A1) purchased Pink Socks to wear for their fixture matches and got into the spirit of raising funds for Cancer Awareness/Research. And it must have paid off, all teams bar one, were winners in their fixture matches.

As well as wearing the pink socks (and looking great), Panthers ran an all day BBQ, selling food to the hungry hoardes at softball.

A big thank to president Roger Pollard who diligently walked the grounds, at training and game day, over the last 10 days with the socks selling them on Play for a Cure’s behalf. 91 pairs were sold with more to come!

Craig, Andrew, Pete, Scott and Roger – thank you for being brave and wearing the BRIGHT PINK shirts – they looked fantastic and I must say, you all look great in pink! The winner of the day in fashion stakes went to Andrew, who was dressed from head to toe in pink – he even put a pink cover on his iPhone!!

Thank you to the guys and girls from the club who helped man the BBQ but I reserve my biggest thank you for the Selwood children, Kiara, Shiann and Zach. They were at the BBQ stall ALL day and never complained. In fact I think I would be safe in saying they enjoyed doing their bit to raise money. Thanks kids, you’re the best!!

Panthers Softball Club hope to make this an annual event, and I look forward to making Pink Panther Day as successful as it was yesterday, in the future.

Finally the most important bit of news…….we made $688.30 – well done Panthers, a wonderful effort and Play for a Cure thanks you!

Leigh

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The post Pink Panthers appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

We look forward to working with Gorden and spreading our message.

Stay tuned to find out more on events and Gorden’s participation.

The post Play for a Cure has a Patron appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

Play for a Cure did not host this event, we didn’t attend the event but I want to share Tilly’s story with you. Jannita, Tilly’s mum, was the 1st of 4 cancer deaths that inspired me to start my own charity ‘Play for a Cure’.

Many gathered at ‘The Venue’ from 6.30pm onwards and enjoyed a night of food, drinks, raffles, stories and lots of laughs with their friends and fellow supporters. The night was a huge success raising $7100 for Cancer Council Queensland. An amazing effort.

Below is Tilly’s story – thank you Tilly for being so open and sharing your story with our audience. I encourage you all to read it and heed Tilly’s wise advice.

Cancer affects so many people. Not only is it a very stressful time for those diagnosed, but it’s emotionally draining for the family and friends whom offer their support. Today I would like to share some of my personal experiences, insights, concerns and questions I had, whilst supporting my mother through her illness.For those of you who don’t know, my mother (Jannita Dunn nee’ Tallis) was originally diagnosed with breast cancer. She battled courageously for 4 years but sadly passed away last year. It is through my ongoing love and respect for her, that I have the strength to stand here today.

During the initial cancer diagnosis, there are a number of questions you may ask yourself:

“What do I say?” Asking mum, “How are you?” took on a whole new meaning. “Do you mention their illness every time

you see them?”

“Should I always be positive?” Even when I see them deteriorating?

“Who do I talk to about this? and Who helps me?”

When finding out a person you love has breast cancer, it can be as overwhelming and distressing for partners,

family and friends – as it is for the person diagnosed. After the initial shock of: “Why her?” My next response

was, “What can I do?”

• Listen – you don’t necessarily need to have answers
• Offer support – but don’t wait to be asked and keep offering
• Let them know you care – tell them or offer small gifts as a sign
• Be there for their families, as they need support and are going through it too
• Cry with them, smile with them, but most of all – listen to them.

How does Breast Cancer develop?

Breast Cancer develops in either ducts or the lobules. Lobules are where the milk is produced and ducts are where the milk travels. Cancer cells develop when the cells lining the ducts or lobules become abnormal in size and shape and start multiplying in an uncontrolled way.

This is exactly what happened to my mum: She never actually detected a lump in her breast. Her doctor found one upon examination when she went for a check-up, shortly after weening my youngest sister. It’s extremely difficult to detect breast changes during lactation – as the breasts constantly change shape, leak fluid, can be tender and lumpy from blocked mammary ducts and hormonal changes.

Unfortunately mums’ lump was 7.6cm in diameter by the time it was found and the biopsy results confirmed the worst… cancer. This was a very hard time for all of us, how could we prepare for the uncertain road ahead? We were told it was an aggressive form of breast cancer and it grew rapidly. She would need her left breast removed and any suspect lymph nodes, promptly followed by chemotherapy and radiation. I recall mum being in shock, but she still had very high hopes.

I was scared. So many thoughts went through my mind. I was worried for mum and her future but also my siblings. I was 15, Jordan was 12, Bronita was 3 and Tayla had only just turned 2. How were the girls going to understand why mummy’s so sick and losing her hair? How was mum going to cope with hearing questions such as “Mummy when are you going to heaven?” Not only did she have to endure the thought of sickening treatment but had to deal with the
prospect of her own mortality. How difficult was it going to be explaining this to her children?

The emotional rollercoaster continued as we were planning a trip to Canberra. She was scheduled to watch me play my first softball game for QLD, but now I thought she’ll only be two weeks post op from her mastectomy and awaiting chemo I can’t expect her to come, so I said, “It’s alright mum, there’s always next year, if I make the team!” She was swift with her response, “Yeah I know hey mate, it will be good going to both!” There was no doubtin her mind, and sure enough she was there in Canberra – cheering me on for my very first QLD game and several other trips that followed.

During her surgery, mum had 14 lymph nodes removed. The cancer had already spread into 8 of them. Doctors thought there could be more but had to stitch her up quickly because there was a bleeder and her life was at immediate risk. Even upon waking to this news, you could never keep her spirit down. To this day, I believe her positivity is what helped us through the difficult times. She was positive and that’s all that mattered to us.

Following surgery, mum started chemo once a week and radium everyday for 8 weeks. After completing treatment, mum’s scans showed up clear with only one spot on her liver. The specialist told her not to worry about it and come back in 12 months for a check up.

Before I knew it… grade 12 had been and gone and I was now acting as mum’s carer in hospital – for yet another round of chemo. You see, the spot on her liver that the doctor wasn’t worried about had spread through to her bones. This news also came with something else new to us… a terminal prognosis!

Once again our lives changed, but this time it went to a whole new level. There was a time limit on her life. Instead of entering the workplace and studying – as most 17 year olds do after school, I found myself caring for a
family of six. I spent my days cooking dinner, making lunches for the kids, doing school drop off and pick-ups, and
spending nearly every Tuesday and Wednesday at the hospital with mum for treatment.

Mum fought long and hard, and did so because she believed they would find a cure before it was too late. Mum was in and out of hospital for 4 years and didn’t complain once. She courageously travelled from softball to baseball and back to softball, every Saturday to watch her kids play the sport they loved. Her sense of humour and will-to-live never faulted.

I fondly remember dining out with the family and a waitress handed dad his meal, stating, “I have the chicken breast
here”. Mum’s response was, “So do I, as she reached for her own chicken fillet (prosthetic breast), do you want to
swap?” Another funny thought that comes to mind was when mum played in the Softball Masters Competition in August 2008. She loved telling everyone that she’d be no good pitching, as she was likely to continue spinning around because she only had one boob. This constant banter made her a popular member of the team, but this wasn’t her only
talent. Following the conclusion of the tournament, mum was named in the QLD Masters – All Stars Team. Although surgery robbed her of certain arm movements and strength, this did not hold her back. Her strength-of-character and
determination was inspirational to me then – as it is now.

After 3 years of advanced bone treatments, chemotherapy and radiation – mum started deteriorating. It was the middle of last year when the tumours showed-up in her brain. This is when mum’s fight became tougher for her. She was unable to do the things she loved, because she needed every ounce of energy she had to fight. Fight for her life, fight to see her kids, family and friends, day in and day out.

She would always say to me. “I’m gunna beat it Till. It’s a bastard of a disease, but it won’t get me!” If only she was right! She had such high hopes of fighting and winning. She wished she’d live to tell the story, until sadly the cancer got the best of her and we were left to arrange her funeral this exact night last year.

My mother lost her battle with breast cancer on the 29th of October 2009. If she was alive today, she would encourage everyone here tonight to check their breasts regularly. Mum lost her battle because of the delay in detection and the subsequent spread into the lymph nodes. Early detection significantly reduces the risks of cancer
spreading. Breast cancer doesn’t need to be a death sentence. That’s why I strongly urge every woman here tonight
to get to know your breasts, and if in doubt, don’t delay and see a doctor. You can’t put a price on your life, and
no question to any doctor, is a stupid one. Self breast assessment, along with regular breast screens and mammograms will save your life. My only hope is to never see anyone else go through the pain and trauma my mother did.

So tonight, please dig deep. Research leads to education, education leads to early detection and early detection leads to survival and prevention! My mothers’ story has certainly changed my life, in more ways than one. Mum was only 37 years old when she was first diagnosed and back then the ratio for breast cancer was 1 in 16 women. Sadly 4 years later, it has increased to a staggering 1 in 3 women. These numbers are horrendous. So let’s also hope that the money raised tonight will contribute in finding a cure. Unfortunately a cure can’t help my mum now, but there are many others suffering as she did, hoping! I know there’s a cure out there somewhere. Please help us find it.

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On the 6th November Panthers Softball Club will be donning the pink socks and be known as the Pink Panthers!  Pink Play for a Cure Wristbands are also available.  A BBQ will be held in the afternoon after a day of softball.

Check out the poster promoting the day.  All money from this event will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness through Cancer Council Queensland.

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Brisbane Softball Association is teaming up with the NRMA Brisbane Broncos for the “Yellow Socks Softball Challenge” game between past and present Brisbane Broncos and Australian representative softball players. The action will commence from 11:30am on Saturday 4th December 2010 at the Downey Park Softball Complex at Green Terrace, Windsor.

The game is a charity event aiming to raise awareness of the impact of cancer on those who have suffered from or who are trying to deal with cancer. The game will also endeavour to promote the game of softball as an option to get out and get active and socialise with friends and family. Both teams will play in yellow socks as this colour is associated with the daffodil flower used internationally as the flower and colour of HOPE for a cure to cancer.

The game will also remember the passing of two ladies who died from cancer just over twelve months ago – Deborah McColm and Jannita Dunn. Both Deb and Jannita had ties to the Brisbane Broncos and the Brisbane Softball Association. Jannita is the elder sister of Broncos legend Gorden Tallis and Deb’s husband Graham is the long term Broncos kicking coach. Jannita was a former state junior and long time softball player – her three daughters play for the Saints club at Downey Park. Deb was a former state junior and senior player and long term A1 player at Downey Park and was also the President of the Brisbane Softball for 5 ½ years before her untimely passing. Both Deb and Jannita knew each other well and sadly passed away within days of each other in the Wesley Hospital late in 2009.

The Broncos team will include past captains, Allan Langer and Gorden Tallis along with current captain Darren Lockyer and other current star players. The pitcher for the Broncos team will be Jannita’s daughter (Gorden’s niece) Tyleisha Dunn. The All Star team will include current Australian captain Stacey Porter and other legends of the game including Joyce Lester (Australia’s longest serving softball captain @ 11 years), Tanya Harding  and Brooke Wilkins.

Several fundraising activities are planned to support Cancer research and awareness programs through the Play for a Cure Foundation and Softball development programs through the Brisbane Softball Association. An autographed and framed Broncos jersey signed by the six Broncos Club captains – Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis and Darren Lockyer; will be the feature auction item. Details of the auction will be released closer to the event.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event where there will be plenty of food, drinks and activities for the kids and music entertainment during the afternoon. The current Queensland Heat and Patriots Softball teams will also be in attendance. Admission is free.

It is hoped that this will become an annual event and support others who are dealing with or have been impacted by cancer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact:

Graham McColm – 0400 897898 or media contact is Jason Greenhalgh – 0400 716 166

To assist with catering you can click here to RSVP.

NRMA Brisbane Broncos https://www.broncos.com.au/

Brisbane Softball Association https://www.brisbanesoftball.com.au/

The post Yellow Socks Softball Challenge appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

Below is Carmen’s story:

“In May 2005 I had a mammogram, something I did every two years. However, this time they called me back and said they’d found a lump. I went to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Sydney for tests and I found out that afternoon that the lump was breast cancer. I started treatment straight away.

“When you start the treatment you aren’t sick – you become sick. One of the hardest things you have to deal with is that you feel fine at first but the treatment literally poisons your body. Getting sick before a session is one of the side effects of the chemotherapy.

“When you receive the diagnosis you’re immediately allocated a team that will work with you through your treatment – an oncologist, a surgeon, a radiologist and a cancer care nurse. You go through a lot of changes, physically and emotionally, and they’re able to help you come to terms with what you’re experiencing.

“The cancer care nurses are especially important, and some of the fundraising through Pink Ribbon Day goes towards ensuring access to the nurses. They support so many women, and it’s often the small things that can make such a big difference. For example, when I started my treatment I was given the opportunity to have my hair cut at a top hairdresser for free. Many women lose their hair and eyebrows through the chemotherapy and it may never grow back, so this is something that helps you feel normal.

“Because I continued working through my treatment I participated in a study that involved taking vitamin supplements to see if they had any affect. The chemotherapy can affect your ability to think and act clearly, and they wanted to see how my brain was able to cope with running the payroll for a large company. A lot of the money raised through events like Pink Ribbon Day goes towards funding research like this.

“Breast cancer is a very emotional thing for many people. At work I found that many people had experienced breast cancer through a family member or friend, and when they found out about my diagnosis they were keen to offer their support. There’s a big community of people who have some experience of breast cancer in their lives, and this community comes together to help others.

“It’s a terrible disease for everyone, not just the individual. And it’s like a wave that affects entire families. My own family was incredibly supportive. My daughter is a microbiologist and looked for ways to help my treatment, and my husband is an incredibly strong person. But during my treatment my granddaughter was born, which created a happy diversion for all of us.

“If someone in your life is diagnosed with breast cancer – or any illness – it’s important to look at your support system. People who’ve been there can help and advise, and they can give you affirmation of how you can provide support, especially in keeping things as normal as possible. Talking to survivors is always encouraging.

“Since the diagnosis and completing my treatment I appreciate life so much more. My family is so important to me and I don’t get as upset about mundane day-to-day issues. I look forward to every day in my journey and enjoy being able to support people as they head down their own paths.”

How can you help?

You can contribute to the Support system that did such a great job for Carmen by clicking here and donating or by purchasing our pink wristbands in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Carmen thank you for sharing your story, you are very brave and we are so proud of you in beating cancer and having a positive attitude towards life.

The post Carmen shares her story for Breast Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.

The response was fantastic with 3 Nerimbera soccer teams and 1 Mackay team putting their hand up straight away. The U16 Nerimbera team, (pictured), played their Grand Final proudly in pink socks! The Mackay U12 Mackay JPL Soccer Team will also play their Grand Final in pink socks.

A special thank you goes out to Luke Rose who sold many pairs to Senior players. We have raised $170.00 so far and I still have a few orders left to fill.

Getting your club or team involved and wearing Pink Socks makes a great statement in showing your support for raising funds for cancer.

My heartfelt thanks to the Mackay crew who generously paid $10.00 a pair giving that “extra bit” for the cause. The socks are $7.00 a pair and the profits go towards our fundraising challenge.

If you would like to place an order for pink socks please contact me at kelli@playforacure.com.au

And enjoy the photos below.

Kelli

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The post Pink Sock Challenge appeared first on Play for a Cure Foundation.