Cancer fight

By Russell Bennett
Ms Calder will hold a special morning tea at Mount Evelyn Primary School on 19 November to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.
Two of Ms Calder’s immediate family members have faced daunting battles against the disease.
Ms Calder’s younger sister Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31 in 2007 and is still receiving treatment for it.
“She was placed on a five-year treatment plan,” Ms Calder said.
“So she’s still got a while to go before she gets the all-clear.”
Ms Calder’s aunt was also diagnosed with the disease in her thirties. In her late sixties now, and after having fought off two bouts of cancer, she is living proof that effective treatment and a positive outlook are crucial in the battle for survival.
“A lot of women still aren’t doing much about it (cancer detection) themselves,” Ms Calder said.
“It’s hitting women at a younger age these days.
“You don’t necessarily need any family history with male or female breast cancer.”
Ms Calder spoke of the importance of self-examinations.
“Early detection is the key to our survival,” she said.
“So don’t be afraid to examine yourself regularly and always seek that second opinion if you find something but dismiss it as nothing.
“Women are leaving children motherless and husbands wifeless because they haven’t caught it early enough.
“The survival rate is good following early detection.”
Ms Calder’s morning tea fund-raiser will be held from 10.30am on 19 November and will feature a raffle with local businesses contributing prizes.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe will be in attendance and Judith McGrath from the Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink will be the guest speaker.
“The Ladies in Pink are a breast cancer support group from Woori Yallock,” Ms Calder said.
“They don’t just help people suffering from the disease, they also help their friends and families too.”
Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink meet every third Friday of the month at the Papercup Café in Woori Yallock.
Call Mount Evelyn Primary School on 9736 2233 or Ms Calder on 0408 516 563 to purchase tickets for the morning tea.
They are $10 for adults and free for children under 16.
“I’d really like to thank the school’s principal Phil Comport for letting us use the school and for all his help,” Ms Calder said.
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to do this.
“But it’s about getting the whole community aware, not just mothers and students.