“You leave me breastless” team gets breathless for Fun Run

The 2019 RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run on Sunday 3 March and participating Mater People have been ramping up their fundraising efforts to support women with breast cancer.

Mater Private Hospital Brisbane Patient Flow Manager Bec Leslie has worked at Mater for 20 years, and over that time she’s witnessed many people have their lives turned upside down by the words: 'you have cancer'. But in 2017, it happened to her.

“To say it was awful, or shocking, doesn’t really capture it,” Bec said.

During Bec’s treatment, she had access to support funded through Mater Chicks in Pink.

“I knew the breast care nurses from work—but never like this,” Bec said.

“They’re your lifeline between you and the oncologist, and they are there for you throughout treatment, both to translate what is happening to you, and also for your emotional support.”

Bec also learned about research happening at Mater to find solutions for her type of breast cancer, which previously hadn’t been widely researched.

“I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I learned there was research happening right here at Mater. It gave me so much confidence,” she said.

That’s why Bec has become a fundraiser herself. Her team, 'You leave me breastless', is made up of Bec’s colleagues, friends and family and has more than 160 members. With two weeks left before Fun Run, they’ve already raised more than $10 000.

A staggering 18 087 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every year, and that number continues to rise.* Participants in the RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run are aiming to raise a total of $800 000 to make an immediate impact for these women through Mater Chicks in Pink.

You can be a part of it in the lead up to, or even after the event, by sponsoring a participant, team or making a general donation at womensdayfunrun.com.au.

*Cancer Australia, 2018

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