Thursday, 5 September, 2024
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Hope is inked in By Ethan Benedicto Spreading the message is the most important aspect of her campaign, as Sarah Kelly embarks on a journey of advocacy and solidarity for those suffering from brain cancer. Sarah, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021 was given between two and five years to live – but having broken through the estimate, is steadfast in her goal of supporting brain cancer research through Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation. A Beaconsfield local, Sarah has since been in touch with Berwick MP Brad Battin, and in collaboration with local tattoo studio Skin Architecture, began a fundraiser with the goal of $5000; which if met, would result with a lucky local to pick and choose a tattoo for Brad himself. Sarah said that after her diagnosis, she “realised how little people knew about brain cancer and the impact it has on families”. Speaking on her own condition, Sarah said that “everything’s improved to the point where I’m actually able to feel like I’ve got the energy”. “I’ve got the capacity to be a voice for brain cancer patients, and unfortunately pretty much everyone passes away.” After her diagnosis, Sarah immediately went for surgery, which was soon followed by radiation treatment and then a year of chemotherapy; at that stage, it wasn’t uncommon for her to experience seizures. Having been two years without a seizure, Sarah said that she is “one of the few that is here to tell my story”. “So I really felt like I can do this, I felt like this is my time, my opportunity to share,” she said.
For every $1 donated between Friday 30 August and Sunday 8 September will be an entry into a draw which, at the end of the fundraiser, will dictate the person set to decide on a tattoo for Brad in honour of Sarah’s and many others’ hope for a cure. The $5000 will go towards Sarah’s goal of $20,000 for CB4BC, in conjunction with the organisation’s Point to Pinnacle trek at Mount Wellington, Tasmania on Sunday 17 November. Brad, moved by Sarah’s goal and determination recently visited the Brain Cancer Centre alongside a number of other MPs, one of them being Sam Groth, who had recently lost his mother to the same illness. “I wasn’t aware of that, none of us had ever spoken about it, so I said to myself, what can I do to raise money?” Brad said. “It is the least I can do to assist and raise awareness of this cruel disease; I have known Sarah for many years and her passion for making more people aware of the impacts and to openly share her story is something I had to support.” The fundraiser runs alongside Skin Architecture’s limited promotion until 8 September, an opportunity which Brad was more than eager to jump onto for a more “unique” take on fundraising. Cheyenne, owner of the business is on the same boat, saying that she is more than pleased to support this for a great cause. “We all know someone who has lost someone to cancer, and we are pleased to work with Sarah to create change,” she said. “As a small local tattooist, we see many people who come in to get a tattoo in memory of loved ones, this is a little different and will be in honour of many.” Continued page 3
(Stewart Chambers: 428711)
Purple floods Narre Warren The purple bus from EACH arrived at the Narre Warren hub on Monday 2 September, with members such as Eva Thomas, who is a diabetes nurse educator dressed in purple and gold to celebrate the organisation’s 50 years of
service to the Australians in need of health and support services, with the goal of improving people’s lives and the health of communities. Story page 6
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