Survivor to walk for mother and all women fighting cancer
ALEISHA Woolacott and the other devoted members of Karen's Cancer Crusaders are walking a long way because of what cancer means to them.
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SHE knows it won't be easy but Aleisha Woolacott and the other devoted members of Karen's Cancer Crusaders are walking a long way because of what cancer means to them.
Karen's Cancer Crusaders are walking in The Weekend to End Women's Cancers, a two-day, 60km walk that raises funds for cancer research and treatment for women's cancers.
Held around the world, proceeds from The Weekend to End Women's Cancers in Brisbane will go to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Aleisha Woolacott, who is from Silkstone, wrote to The QT "because cancer has touched us all in some way".
"I will be raising funds and training hard so I can make a huge impact in the effort to end women's cancers - but I need your help," she said.
"I would like to share my story with you so you can understand why I'm dedicating my time to this wonderful event."
Mrs Woolacott was 18 years old when she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
"I have undergone 12 months of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and major surgery to my pelvis which has left me with a curved back and my right leg an inch (2.5cm) shorter," she said.
Within two years of her remission, her dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and in two months of his remission her mum was diagnosed with ovarian, bowel and liver cancer.
"My mum fought her battle for seven months and she was taken to Heaven on Mother's Day 2008," she said.
"Since losing my mum, Karen Evans, I have had the amazing miracles of having two beautiful daughters with my husband James.
"It is the fifth anniversary of my mum's passing and to commemorate her, I am walking alongside my brother Sean Evans and my friend Nicole Lewis."
As of Monday, Emma Thompson is also a member of Karen's Cancer Crusaders.
"This walk will be a very physical challenge for me, but the emotional challenge is what I really need to train for," Mrs Woolacott said.
"I have been in remission for eight years now and I am putting my pain aside to make a difference to the many women - grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives and girls - who are being treated at the moment and the many yet to come.
"I'm walking so far to do something bold about all women's cancers."
To be a part of The Weekend to End Women's Cancers, Mrs Woolacott needs to raise $2000 by October.
To make a donation, go to endcancer.org.au, click on the green Donate button and search for Aleisha Woolacott.
Originally published as Survivor to walk for mother and all women fighting cancer
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