By BRIDGET COOK
CRANBOURNE North resident Tracey Ryan epitomises what Relay for Life events are all about – hope.
That is why she was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the second annual Cranbourne-Narre event on Saturday.
Despite battling advanced cancer for almost three years, Ms Ryan has managed to remain as positive as possible in the bleak circumstances and still remains hopeful for her future.
“What keeps me positive is the fact that I’m a mum,” she said.
“I’ve got a son who is chronically ill and my daughter just got engaged, so it keeps me going.
“I just think that there is someone always worse off than you.
“And I pray that I can hang on long enough for them to find a cure.”
Ms Ryan was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010 and ended up having both breasts removed and reconstructive surgery done.
However the cancer has since spread to her spine, ribs, lung and liver.
What has kept Ms Ryan strong throughout her treatment is being involved in a number of support groups and organisations, including being an ambassador for Pink Hope, community liaison officer for Breast Cancer Network Australia, a speaker of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and involved in three online Facebook support groups.
“No one gets it unless they have had it and been through it,” she said.
“Your family and friends can tell you they are there for you, but they don’t get how you’re feeling unless they have been through it.
“It’s nice to know you’re not alone going through.
“We vent to each other about our doctors, the chemo, the side effects, our children, scan anxiety – anything and everything.
“My message to others diagnosed with cancer is to know they don’t have to be alone and there are so many people and groups they can get in touch with.”
Ms Ryan’s final message to the whole community was “to check your boobies, and I mean both men and women”.
For all the information and photos from the Cranbourne-Narre Relay for Life, turn to page 17.
