Rockhampton mum-of-three Tammy Dorsett was just 33 when doctors revealed she had stage two breast cancer.
Now the breast cancer survivor is calling on Rockhampton locals and their ‘breasties’ to paint the city pink for this year’s Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-Ray.
Mrs Dorsett, a Queensland X-Ray patient, said “the most beautiful nursing staff” and her family including husband Matt, and children Casey (21), Kyle (20) and Mia (11), were with her every step of the way through her cancer journey.
Every year one in four Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer is treated at a Mater Hospital.
Mrs Dorsett, now 42, discovered a small lump in her breast, but delayed seeing her GP about her concerns for a few months. She said she was left “shocked” when doctors told her she had breast cancer.
“My treatment involved a single mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and radiation then followed by a second mastectomy,” Mrs Dorsett said.
“Currently there is no evidence of the disease, although I will need further reconstructive surgeries in the future.”
Mrs Dorsett said it was “really important” for conversations to be had about cancer and to encourage women to self-check and make appointments for early diagnosis.
“As women, we tend to put everyone else in the family first and become too busy to stop and take care of ourselves and unfortunately cancer makes us stop,” she said.
“We are hoping to create our own Sea of Pink on 2 March to encourage women to take that time, and for locals to make a donation if they can to help support those going through treatment.
“We started as a small group of friends a few years ago and have since welcomed anyone in the local area to join us for a friendly walk.”
Currently more than 40 people have signed up to join Mrs Dorsett’s team – Pink Patrol – which is hoping to raise $2000.
Queenslanders can organise their own ‘5K Your Way’ fun runs here.
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said the Mater fun run had been a much-loved event for more than 30 years and allowed Queenslanders to participate wherever they live in the state.
“Every dollar you raise will help women fighting breast cancer,” Mr Thomas said.
“We all know someone affected by breast cancer, whether it be a friend or a relative.
“This year we’re hoping to raise more than $1.8m to provide personalised support services and state-of-the-art equipment to better diagnose and treat patients, as well as investing in life-saving breast cancer research at Mater.
Funds from the event will go towards services and support for breast cancer patients at Mater hospitals in Brisbane, Springfield, Redlands, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
