Breast cancer clinicians and their patients will hit the Bayside’s streets on Sunday March 8 for the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-Ray. A team of more than 50 staff and supporters from Mater Private Hospital Redland will be joined by breast cancer survivors on a 5km course starting from at Cleveland Lighthouse at 7am. All funds raised from the event will be used to support life-changing breast cancer research, treatment and equipment at Mater, which treats one in every four Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer. The ‘Mater Private Redlands Breasties’ are urging Bayside residents to sign up for the Cleveland run or to join the estimated 23,000 people who will form a ‘Sea of Pink’ in the Brisbane CBD event at the same time. Keila Slater, Nurse Unit Manager of the Redland Mater Cancer Care Centre, said breast cancer cases are on the rise in the Bayside. “The Mater Cancer Care Centre at Redland is now treating around 20 breast cancer patients every week – and we’re seeing more and more younger women with the disease too,” Ms Slater said. “We see the impact of breast cancer every day – and the courage of our patients – and that’s why we’re so passionate about supporting the Mater Chicks in Pink fun run. “Every dollar raised makes a difference to patients and the breast cancer care we provide.” Mater Foundation recently purchased a new scalp-cooling machine for the hospital, thanks to the support of the Mater Private Hospital Redland Auxiliary volunteers. The machine chills the scalps of patients to -4C while they undergo chemotherapy, helping to minimise hair loss. “Chemotherapy usually causes complete hair loss, but this technology reduces that side effect and also gives patients a little more control over their treatment,” Ms Slater said. “Losing your hair can be a very confronting part of chemotherapy, so this machine often makes a big difference to women with breast cancer.” Thornlands woman Denise Smail, 75, was fitted with the cap as she underwent her fifth round of chemotherapy earlier this week. “It feels intense for the first 15 minutes and then you acclimatise to it,” Mrs Smail said. “I’m due to have 21 rounds of chemotherapy, but even if I have hair loss between 30 and 50 per cent I will still have a head of hair.” Mater Private Hospital Redland Breast Care Nurse Janice Butler urged Redlands locals to join the fun run or pledge support for the ‘Breasties’. “I love how the whole hospital comes together as a community for the fun run, to show our ladies they are not alone in their fight against breast cancer,” Ms Butler said. “The fun run is a fabulous way to celebrate and support breast cancer patients, so if you want to join us then sign up and be part of this event. “You can run or walk the course – and even bring your pets along too.” Redlands residents can sign up to join the ‘Breasties’ on the Cleveland fun run at: fundraise.mater.org.au/join/materprivateredlandsbreasties
|
