Amy Rein to commemorate sister in Cairns Mother’s Day Classic fun Run

A Cairns woman who lost her sister to ovarian cancer has revived a popular fun run, raising much-needed money and awareness for cancer research.

Amy Rein (Center) with Stephanie Barchetti, Jacopo Barchetti. Denice Fenters and Louise Zupp at the Cairns Esplanade ahead of the Mother's Day Classic Fun Run. Picture Emily Barker

A Cairns woman who lost her sister to ovarian cancer has revived a popular fun run, raising much-needed money and awareness for cancer research.

Amy Rein has never done a fun run, but that hasn’t stopped her from organising one.

Ms Rein, a first-time organiser of the Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run, will next month don her running shoes in honour of her late sister, Lauren.

Lauren died on August 12, 2022, a year after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The event will raise funds and awareness for breast and ovarian cancer, and is the first iteration of the Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run since 2019.

“It’s all about raising money and awareness for cancer research. I can’t bring Lauren back, but I can make someone else’s life easier by talking about it,” Ms Rein said.

“So we’re encouraging everyone to come out, get dressed up and bring your kids, dogs and husbands along.”

The fun run will take place on the Cairns Esplanade on May 12.

“It’s the perfect way to spend Mother’s Day, raising money for a good cause and then take mum out to breakfast or lunch afterwards,” she said.

Amy Rein at the Cairns Esplanade ahead of the Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run. Picture Emily Barker

Ms Rein said she was inspired to get involved in the event to honour her sister who died within a year of her diagnosis.

“Lauren was diagnosed in August 2021. She was 37 when she was diagnosed and she had very minor symptoms,” she said.

“One of the things about ovarian cancer is, it’s a hidden, quite vicious cancer and the symptoms can be quite mild, like bloating and discomfort.

“She went to the doctor who found a cyst in her ovaries and had surgery within a matter of days. She was diagnosed and within a week was sitting in a chair getting chemo. It took her up to just before Christmas.”

Ms Rein said Lauren was just about to start a clinical trial when it was discovered the cancer had spread to her liver.

“They never got it under control after that. She went to hospital in mid-July and at that point, they said she wasn’t going to survive,” Ms Rein said.

“She spent four weeks in palliative care in Brisbane and died on August 12, 2022.”

Ms Rein said the event would include a 3km and 5km walking track and a 5km and 10km courses.

“The event itself has been going on for a long time. It’s on Mothers Day and it’s supporting two great causes, so put your shoes on, get out there and have a fun day.

Registrations are available on the Mother’s Day Classic website.

Originally published as Amy Rein to commemorate sister in Cairns Mother’s Day Classic fun Run