A Berwick local will brave a 72-hole golf marathon in Cranbourne next month to help drive cancer research.
Berwick professional golfer Danika Coyne will step onto the first tee at Cranbourne’s Settlers Run Golf & Country Club on Monday 8 December to play 72 holes in a single day, raising funds for Cancer Council Victoria’s charity event, The Longest Day.
For the 26-year-old, the fundraising is personal.
Earlier this year, Danika’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer after what was meant to be a routine mammogram.
The shock diagnosis led to multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy and the removal of lymph nodes. She now faces chemotherapy and radiation.
“It’s obviously given her a massive setback from doing her normal everyday things, so she’s unable to make the bed, hang out the washing, just do the normal stuff that she used to do,” Danika said.
“She’s a little bit depressed, I should say.
“But she’s getting there slowly, I think, as it gets easier for her. It’s just she feels okay after the surgery and recovery, and then she’ll have another procedure, and then she’ll feel pretty crappy again.
“Up and down, long wait, long journey.”
Danika said this personal experience motivated her to fundraise for Cancer Council for the first time.
“Because it is so personal to me, it’s something I want to do,” she said.
“I think it’s just nice that everyone gets on board. Although I don’t think we should just be having this day just to raise money for cancer.
“I think we should just be doing it in general, and hopefully we can eventually get to the end of it and hopefully get some sort of cure.”
Danika is among many Australians signing up for The Longest Day, Cancer Council’s nationwide golf marathon that challenges players to complete 36, 54 or 72 holes in a single day to raise money for cancer research.
Participants can complete their challenge anytime during November or December, with funds supporting research, prevention and support services.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper AM said nearly all Victorians will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives, whether directly or through the experiences of a loved one.
“It’s a sad reality that about one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, but by working together, we can all play a part in reducing the impact of cancer for all Victorians,” he said.
“Thanks to investment in research, amazing advancements have been made in cancer
prevention, screening and treatment – helping increase survival rates from 51 per cent in the late 1980s to around 71 per cent today.
“However, with cancer still the leading cause of death in Victoria, and 33 Victorians dying from cancer each day, there is still so much that needs to be done.”
Danika has been playing golf since age four and hopes to join the WPGA Tour next year. The 26-year-old professional admitted that completing 72 holes in one day is “very difficult”.
“Not only physical, but mentally as well. It’s very, very hard. You’ve got to stay motivated, stay concentrated,” she said.
This is also the first year Settlers Run Golf & Country Club decided to host The Longest Day, after strong member interest and Danika’s encouragement.
The event quickly booked out, with about 24 local golfers forming six groups.
So far, Danika has raised around $2,000, with hopes to keep climbing.
She said the community had been wonderful and supportive.
She is also planning a separate charity golf day in February next year, donating 20 per cent of the proceeds to Cancer Council.
Now, she’s hoping a nice weather on the big day.
“I’ve tried to do the 14-day forecast, and it only says about 22 degrees, but you know what Melbourne’s like. It changes very fast,” she said.
