Rest in peace

By Lia Bichel
THERE was a strong show of community spirit as more than $15,000 was raised for Candice Barnett’s cervical cancer treatment the night before she succumbed to the disease.
The Berwick resident died on Sunday, leaving behind many friends and family including her partner Jason Prodhomme, 31, and son Bayleigh, 3.
Jason said Candice, 27, was an independent woman who loved life and her family.
“She was the world to me and my soul mate – the love of my life,” Jason said. “Words can’t describe how she was to me and Bayleigh – she gave him the world.”
Friend Reanna Day, 29, was close with Candice in primary school and they reunited after Candice was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May last year.
“She was very caring and would have done anything for her friends,” Reanna said.
“She was so strong. I know she loved her partner and her son and she was ready to beat cancer and watch (her son) grow.”
Before she died, Candice said her peers had been fantastic in supporting her during her fight and that she was “preparing herself for the best, but expecting the worst” after doctors told her they exhausted all the treatments available in Australia.
Doctors said the only option left for Candice was to undergo alternative medicine and have a blood test sent overseas to see if there was other chemotherapy available.
The cost of the process was expected to be more than $4000 which prompted her friends and family to raise money in support.
About 400 family, friends and even strangers touched by her story gathered at A Night for Candy fundraiser at The Chelsea Heights Hotel on Saturday, raising more than $15,000 for her treatment.
“The night was amazing,” Reanna said. “Candice would have been so proud.”
She said money raised would go to Bayleigh and Jason who had taken time off work to be by her side while she was sick.
Reanna said Candice wanted to raise awareness for the disease and urged women to go for regular pap smears and to trust their instincts.
Reanna, who is a clinical receptionist at Duff Street Medical Clinic in Cranbourne, said there was a nurse available every Wednesday at the clinic for check-ups.
“There are no symptoms for the cancer, so women have to go for regular checks,” Reanna said.
A funeral for Candice will be held at 2pm Friday at Enjoy Church, corner of Albert Crescent and Princes Highway, Mulgrave. A private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at the funeral to Candice’s charity of choice.
Jason said he and Candice had a friend who was also battling cancer and they would like to give them money to help them with their fight.“I think Candice would be more than happy to help our friends going through the same thing,” he said.“She was happy to help anyone at anytime – she put everyone else first. She will be extremely missed.”