A brush with cancer has led a 76-year-old Coodanup resident to start a new chapter in her life including new friends and a South Africa safari.
Virginia Prosser, a grandmother of seven, says she owes her incredible adventure and newfound friendships to her time at Dot's Place Peel, a Cancer Council WA cancer support centre in Greenfields.
"I lost my beautiful husband and soul mate suddenly to a cardiac arrest," Virginia said. "Life as I knew it had changed forever. I couldn't eat or sleep, I didn't want to get out of bed or see anyone. I completely shut out the world.
"Six months after my husband's passing, I was about to shower when I noticed an abnormality in my right breast.
"After several tests and scans, they confirmed a malignancy and I was diagnosed with breast cancer."
It was at that point Virginia was introduced to Dot's Place Peel, and a new chapter in her life was about to begin.
"I was given information on Dot's Place while having treatment at the hospital," she said.
"Dot's Place helped me so much. It has such a calm and welcoming environment and I'd often visit to relax in a friendly space and enjoy a cup of tea and chat with others.
"The wonderful staff helped me organise my transport to the hospital and provided me with information about the other services on offer, such as reflexology and reiki.
"Many of us would travel on the bus together every week for treatment and that's where I became good friends with Cheryl.
"Cheryl told me about her son who lives in South Africa and asked me if I'd like to go with her next time. I didn't need to be asked twice.
"It was the trip of a lifetime! I finally felt I was opening a new chapter in my life. If I hadn't had breast cancer, gone to Dot's Place and travelled on the bus, I would never have met Cheryl and never in my wildest dreams gone to South Africa.
"Having cancer changed my life with the help of Dot's Place.
"And even though I'm onto my next chapter, my husband is always with me, just in a different way."
