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The local Bakers Delight Pink Bun promotion
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‘Merrygolds in Mildura'
In 1998, I was diagnosed with a benign tumour in my right breast. One year later, following my routine mammogram, I had surgery for another tumour in the same breast. This time it was malignant.
I had just turned 50 and our eldest daughter was expecting our first grandchild. What excitement! I had always hoped for a grandchild and was looking forward to her arrival, but then received news that I had breast cancer. What do I do? Do I sit and mope around or get on with life and show my family that I can fight this disease. I decided on the latter. I would get on with my life.
I did two things that I had always wanted to do. First, I joined the local Genealogical Society. I had always been interested in both local and family history, and decided that through my involvement with this group I could begin to learn how to research my family in order for me to leave a legacy for our new grandchild, Erin Kate. I went along to a meeting and was made very welcome and continue to embrace every new researching opportunity. Last year, I travelled overseas on a Genealogical Research Tour to USA and UK - something I never ever thought I would have the opportunity to do.
The second thing I did was make contact with a local cancer support group. I had heard about this group early one morning on the ABC Radio and got up enough courage to make the first phone call. I went along to their next luncheon. The faces were all new to me but that didn't matter. I was made to feel welcome and very much at home; no pressure put on me to speak or do anything. For the first few months, it took me a little while to get to know everyone. It was only a small group back then, but so friendly and all with a similar story to my own.
Over the years the faces have changed. Members have come and gone and the group has become known in the wider community. It is now known as the Merrygolds Cancer Support Group. It is not a fundraising group, although a few years ago we held a very successful evening with profits going to Green Hill Lodge in Adelaide, SA, where many local patients and their families stay whilst having treatment in the city.
We had a panel of experts including a medical and radiation oncologist, a reconstructive breast surgeon, a local breast care nurse and a general surgeon. The night was one of education, support, breast awareness and networking. We raised just over $10,000, which helped to furnish one of the guest rooms at Green Hill Lodge.
Merrygolds stands for ‘merry' (happy) and ‘gold' (special). Our group created this name. We don't have a committee as such, and are self governing. Our informal monthly luncheons are either held in a member's home or at a local restaurant. Our group is recognised by BCNA and we continue to maintain regular contact.
At our next meeting, we plan to host a luncheon for a visiting support group from Barmera, SA. This is the first time we have had visitors like this and we are looking forward to their visit. We often invite guest speakers to our luncheons.
The Sunraysia Cancer Resource Centre provides a variety of services and guidance to people living with cancer and to their families. It is a free service; and people are welcome to call in, have a look around and have a chat over a cup of tea. Our Merrygolds ladies have been asked to support this facility by being available to talk to people and distribute information when necessary as trained volunteers.
Each year, our group gets involved in the Bakers Delight Pink Bun campaign to raise money for BCNA. It is pleasing to know that money raised through this helps to fund the wonderful My Journey Kit for newly diagnosed women.
The support we give each other is special. Not everyone enjoys 100% good health, so at times a visit, a phone call, a friendly smile is all we can give. The offer of help is always there and includes supporting other members of the family as well. There is usually someone going through treatment either here or away and we like to let them know we are there for them. The support we offer is not intrusive. If people want to do it on their own we do not intrude on their privacy at all. But if they need friendship on their particular journey, we walk beside them. Like any support network, sometimes it only takes a phone call and a chat over a cup of tea to make you feel better about things and make your day brighter.
In closing, we have just celebrated Erin's 18th birthday and we now have ten beautiful grandchildren!
Last updated August 2007
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