Fitzy’s host annual Toowoomba fundraiser for breast cancer

Toowoomba woman speaks out about her battle with breast cancer as part of the return of beloved annual fundraising event, Fitzy’s Colour of Change Luncheon.

BATTLE-HARDY: Brave and beautiful Toowoomba breast cancer survivor, Monique Correy spoke about her journey at this year’s Colour of Change Breast Cancer fundraiser. Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy (left) with guest speaker Monique Correy at Fitzy’s MJH Finance Colour of Change Breast Cancer Luncheon for 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Monique Correy had only just turned 27 when her entire world was pulled out from under her with six words: Grade 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Ms Correy relived the day she received her diagnosis on November 4, 2018 as if it were yesterday.

“My Dad is a doctor and he got my results before I did, so my whole family knew before me,” she said.

“I wasn’t anticipating getting my results the day I got them, given it was a Sunday. I walked into a room surprised to see all my family, some cousins and friends together crying. It was my oldest sister who hugged me first and said the famous words ‘You have cancer’.”

After another long four weeks, it was confirmed Ms Correy is also a carrier of the genetic mutation, BRCA1, from her father’s side of the family, which can increase your risk of breast and ovarian cancer by as much as 71 per cent.

“Being forced to think about your mortality that way was confronting to say the least,” she said.

“It was fear of the unknown and I guess all the ways my life was about to change.”

Ms Correy was the guest speaker at the return of Fitzy’s MJH Finance Colour of Change Breast Cancer Luncheon this week, bravely sharing her cancer journey.

After the event was postponed last year due to COVID-19, the fundraiser is now in its 11th year collecting funds for local women using the services of BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba, raising more than $376,000 since 2009.

Monique Correy received her breast cancer diagnosis when she was just 27 years old before finding found out she has the BRACA gene from her father’s side of the family. Picture: David Martinelli

“Life after my cancer diagnosis certainly wasn’t as smooth sailing as my bald head that’s for sure,” Ms Correy joked.

“I couldn’t wait to finish treatment while I was going through it, but getting to the end and having to go back to your ‘normal’ life was really hard … You look completely different; you feel completely different and nobody can prepare you for that.”

Now that the young lawyer is in remission, she says her view of cancer has completely changed.

“My experience has completely changed me but I’m thankful for that. I used to shy away from hard conversations – it can be hard to know what the right thing to say is, but it’s better than saying nothing at all,” she said.

“I had the best supporters anyone could ask for, 11 of my friends shaved their heads for me and in March 2019 when I was going through treatment, my friends Michael Valdal and Lachy Hogan held a long lunch in Toowoomba and raised $50,000 for Breast Cancer.”

Ms Corey said it was the overwhelming support from friends, family and her hometown community that got her through the hardest year of her life.

“The fundraising event was the most incredible day and so many people in the community got behind it and supported me, I could never be more grateful,” she said.

“Going through a cancer diagnosis really puts life into perspective, it made me want to be closer to my friends and family. My family is really close and I couldn’t have done it without them, I had an amazing partner at the time too. I feel very lucky for that because I know it’s not the same for everyone. Cancer can be really tough on relationships, it’s mentally and physically exhausting for everyone.”

Fitzy’s events and marketing manager Anita Armanasco said Colour of Change had become a labour of love for the family owned pub over the years.

“This event is not only one of our flagship events but also one we hold dear. Twelve years ago we approached the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation about starting a humble breast cancer luncheon in support of BreastScreen Toowoomba. We raised $15,000 in our first year and we were absolutely blown away,” she said.

“The luncheon has grown significantly over time to become a Fitzy’s institution, typically raising $50,000 each year. Giving back to our community via the beautiful people at Toowoomba Hospital Foundation is so important to Fitzy’s and the Fitzgibbons family. To give where we live is a privilege and our Colour of Change tradition is one that’s here to stay.”