Amy Crew’s cancer journey leads to formation of Mater Hospital fun run Boobie Bunch team

A young Central Queensland mum was forced to make a heartbreaking choice when she was diagnosed with breast cancer early in a pregnancy. Now, she’s sharing her incredible story and joining with dozens of other survivors to help make a difference.

Amy Crew sat opposite now-Mater Oncology Nurse Narelle Yench as they both underwent breast cancer treatment at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.

Just under a year ago, life for mum-of-two Amy Crew turned upside down and changed forever.

Fit, healthy and nine weeks pregnant with her third child, Amy was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and due to the severity of her pregnancy had to be terminated.

Doctors told Amy her baby wouldn’t survive the chemotherapy she would be going through and treatment began right away.

Amy’s journey over the past 11 months has involved 16 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and 25 rounds of radiation and is now in the recovery stage.

“It was an experience, at 30 years old you don’t think you’re going have to go down that road,” she said.

Amy Crew sat opposite now-Mater Oncology Nurse Narelle Yench as they both underwent breast cancer treatment at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.

“I was young, I was really healthy and fit and I’d had a baby eight months prior, that was the last thing on my mind having to go down that road.

“But I think the message is, no matter how healthy, fit or young you are cancer doesn’t discriminate, if you think there’s something wrong you need to get checked because early detection saves lives.”

One of the things that got Amy through the tough times was the support from her husband Ben, and the support from her friends, family and others in the community.

When Amy received her diagnosis last year, her cousin Krystal Feather began thinking of ways to raise funds for breast cancer research and support for patients.

That’s when the ‘Boobie Bunch’ was born a, so far, 150 member strong team and the biggest group participating in this year’s Mater Chicks in Pink RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run.

As well as being this year’s biggest team, it is also the biggest team to participate in the event’s 31 year history.

Usually held in Brisbane, the fun run went virtual last year due to the impacts of Covid and will be virtual again so people across the state can participate.

The Boobie Bunch is the largest team to ever participate in the Mater Chicks in Pink RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run in the event's 31 year history.

“I decided to register in unity with my cousin and his wife and the journey they’ve been on over the last few months, it’s been something quite close to my heart and something I felt quite helpless with,” Krystal said.

“It was nice to just create a team, I originally created a Facebook event as a meeting point in Rockhampton and it’s grown to this huge team.

“Unfortunately so many people are united by the journey, which is a breast cancer journey, knowing Amy’s story and the expenses they’ve had, if we could raise a few dollars and - 5km for me on a Sunday morning is nothing - it’s really humbling and nice to see people make that sacrifice for all these women about the endure a life changing journey.”

Krystal said when she created the group she only expected up to 20 members.

“I do want to break a record in my lifetime, I didn’t know it would be this type of record,” she said.

“Everyone has been so friendly and so excited and encouraging of our team...I’m a little bit overwhelmed by it but it’s pretty exciting.

“It’s not an old person's disease, it doesn’t discriminate, it strikes people when they’re at their fittest and healthiest...it is absolutely breathtaking when people receive that diagnosis so, I think it’s hard to swallow that everyone of us can unfortunately relate to it.”

Mater Private Hospital executive officer Sue Thurbon said already more than $1.5 million had been raised across the state through this year’s event, and the Boobie Bunch had raised just under $6000.

When Amy received her diagnosis last year, her cousin Krystal Feather began thinking of ways to raise funds for breast cancer research and support for patients.

“The foundation have been very good to us here in the Rockhampton community,” she said.

“Last year they funded a Neoprobe machine for our surgeons to use for the diagnosis of breast cancer and just prior to Christmas they gave us the gift of a Sozo machine which is new technology for detecting lymphedema.

“We were the only region outside of Brisbane in Central Queensland to have one, so I’m working with the breast care nurse at the Base Hospital to get that service set up.”

On March 6, Mater Chicks in Pink participants can complete a 3.7km walk from Moores Creek Road car park entrance, or challenge themselves with an 8km route along the esplanade, starting from Merv Anderson Park at Cooee Bay.

Alternatively, individuals and groups can map their own course of a chosen distance.

The Boobie Bunch is meeting at the Riverbank Carpark on Quay Street in Rockhampton to complete the 5km route along the riverbank pathway.

How To Register

• Visit https://fundraise.mater.org.au/event/iwdfr-2022-your-way/planyourcourse
• Click a 5km course or choose your own distance
• Register as an individual or a team
• Create an account
• Share your donation page with friends and family
• Grab you runners and wear something Pink.

For more information on the Mater Chicks in Pink RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run 2022 at https://fundraise.mater.org.au/event/iwdfr-2022/home.

You can also follow Amy’s journey through breast cancer and beyond by visiting her blog at www.facebook.com/thejourneyofac/.