Sons' walk with mum the best gift

A BYRON BAY mother who has been fighting breast cancer on and off for the past nine years will get her one, simple Mother's Day wish tomorrow.

Breast cancer patient Barbara Pinter, of Byron Bay, and her sons Daniel (pictured) and Paul, will walk in the Mother’s Day Classic at Brunswick Heads tomorrow to raise funds and awareness about the disease. . Picture: CATHY ADAMS

A BYRON BAY mother who has been fighting breast cancer on and off for the past nine years will get her one, simple Mother’s Day wish tomorrow.

Barbara Pinter is overwhelmed to know her sons will be walking beside her at the Mother’s Day Classic cancer fundraiser this weekend, including her eldest son Daniel, 17, who has spent the last few weeks lobbying his schoolmates for the cause.

The 50-year-old has been juggling the role of mother and cancer patient ever since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.

The Mother’s Day Classic is a breast cancer research fundraising event that invites all those affected by breast cancer to participate in a fun run and walk in different locations around the country tomorrow.

“It is absolutely lovely,” Ms Pinter said.

“I think it is a perfect way to spend Mother’s Day and to have a peaceful time with my kids. I am not after fluffy slippers or a washing machine, I just look forward to just walking with them.

“The kids have been amazingly strong as they have had a lot to contend with. They have a lot on their plate, having an unwell mum who needs to go away for treatment a lot.”

In between looking after Daniel and 14-year-old Paul, and undergoing constant treatment at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, the multi-tasking mother found time to form the Byron Bay Breast Cancer Support Group in 2004.

Ms Pinter was dealt another massive blow last year when she was again diagnosed with breast cancer, for which she is currently undergoing treatment.

Looking back the former nurse can see the strain the illness has put on her family life.

“It was quite a challenge to meet the needs of my family and meet my own needs that come from treatment,” she said.

“It is very difficult for kids who are faced with a mum who is going through this stuff.

“It has delighted me to have my children’s support at the walk. I feel supported by what they are doing and it is a great show of respect.”

Ms Pinter’s son Daniel is more than happy to join eight of his classmates from Mullumbimby Shearwater Steiner School for the event this weekend.

“My PE teacher asked me if I wanted to do the Mother’s Day Classic and I said I would check with my mum. She was already doing it so I said yes,” Daniel said.

“I would like to do something with mum for Mother’s Day and I guess this is a pretty good thing to do.

“I am not an athletic superman, I’m just doing it for mum and the cause.”

Brunswick Heads will host the Mother’s Day Classic tomorrow at Banner Park in Terrace Road, with registration open from 8am.

Originally published as Sons' walk with mum the best gift