Local Renee Bradshaw will be lacing up her shoes and dusting off her tutu for the Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) in May.
“This will be my 5th year doing the Mother’s Day Classic, my first year was completed around the hospital ward as I’d only just had my mastectomy/reconstruction done,” Renee said.
“The reason I love doing it is to celebrate surviving breast cancer and to honour those friends that I’ve lost through the years.”
Renee has been racing through her fundraising goals.
Her original fundraising goal was $600.
Renee has already raised over $1700 with a month to go before the event.
breast cancer hit Renee’s family in 2018.
After twelve surgeries, Renee is one of the lucky women who survive their breast cancer battle.
Renee’s MDC team, the ‘Cancer Crusaders’ will be completing the 8 km walk along The Tan in the city at 8:25am Sunday 14 May.
Renee’s son Charlie has joined her for the past three years.
The race has taken some preparation.
“I have been getting up at 5:45am every morning and doing the treadmill plus as a disability support worker, I try include lots of walking in my community access shifts,” Renee said.
The Mother’s Day Classic is Australia’s biggest fun run and walk for breast cancer research.
The event is held in more than 70 locations nationwide where participants can celebrate, honour and raise vital funds for those impacted by breast cancer.
Over 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Each day another 57 Australians receive a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis.
“We are excited to announce that in 2023, the 26th year of the Mother’s Day classic, there will be 73 locations in major cities, metro areas and regional towns for Australians to unite nationally in support of breast cancer research,” Mother’s Day Classic CEO, Zara Lawless, said.
“And we’re thrilled to reveal there are almost 20 locations that are either joining the Mother’s Day Classic nationwide community for the first time, or rejoining us after taking a break through the disruption of the last few years.”
So far there are seven new locations for 2023.
In Victoria they include Seymour, Echuca and the Mornington Peninsula.
Major events will have an event village, entertainment, live music and food stalls as well as activities for kids both on-course and in the event village.
If you prefer staying local there is an option to walk or run at one of the many local events that will be held across Australia on Mother’s Day.
Another new element to this year’s event is the addition of some longer running distances.
In Melbourne, entrants can sign up for the new 12 km distance.
“Over 1.5 million people have participated in the Mother’s Day Classic for breast cancer research in the past 25 years, donating $41.5 million, and each year we are building on the success of the event,” Ms Lawless said.
Since 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has been a special time for communities to gather and honour those they love, remember those they have lost to breast cancer, and remind those who have been affected that they are not alone.
“It’s so important to be a part of the Mother’s Day classic as unfortunately these days everyone either has lost someone to breast cancer or knows someone that’s survived it,” Renee said.
“The only way we’re going to get to a cure one day is by supporting organisations like the Mother’s Day classic which raises money for research.”
And research is making a difference.
Since Mother’s Day Classic’s inception, the 5-year survival rate has increased from 84% to 92%, thanks largely to research.
However, the survival rate for women with metastatic (Stage IV) breast cancer is much
lower at 32%.
There’s still a long way to go before Australians stop losing their lives to breast cancer.
“By signing up for the Mother’s Day Classic you are joining a passionate, pink, and purpose-driven community united in the fight against breast cancer.
“We cannot wait to see everyone suiting up, showing up and standing stronger together on
Mother’s Day and as we bring communities back together across Australia.”
You can donate to Renee’s fundraiser here: https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/fundraisers/reneebradshaw/mothers-day-classic-melbourne
