A recent fundraising event that raised more than $8,000 will be donated to Cancer Council WA support centre, Dot's Place Peel here in Mandurah.
The event, overlooking the foreshore, was organised by Mandurah resident, Kelly Winrow in memory of her close friend, Tania Ward.
"Tania sadly passed away earlier this year from breast cancer, leaving behind her husband, Gary and children, Tayla, Ella, and Jake," Ms Winrow said.
"The fundraising day was an opportunity for family and friends to come together to remember her, with prizes for auctions and raffles kindly donated by local businesses. It was a day that Tania herself would have thoroughly enjoyed.
"She was a much-loved member of the community who was always thinking of others. She was always so determined and positive, no matter how she was feeling, and that's perhaps why people didn't realise that her cancer had progressed as much as it had."
Tania's eldest daughter, 22-year-old Tayla Ward said it was imperative people listen to their bodies.
"Mum was 43 when she first felt a lump in 2016 but by the time it was diagnosed in 2017 it had progressed to stage 4 breast cancer," Ms Ward said.
"No one knows your body better than you. If you think that something is wrong, get it checked and don't be afraid to get a second opinion."
Read more:
When undergoing her treatment for her cancer, Tania received assistance from Cancer Council WA Support Centre, Dot's Place Peel, including wigs from its wig library, plus individual and group counselling.
Now her family want to give back and help others affected by cancer.
Following a recent visit to Dot's Place Peel, Tania's family have decided to donate the money raised by Ms Winrow's fundraising efforts, to the support centre.
Cancer Council WA's community engagement manager, Simmone Sharp, said that she was grateful for the generous donation to Dot's Place Peel.
"We're always humbled by the incredible generosity of those like the Ward family and appreciate that it's only through the generosity of the community and fundraisers like Ms Winrow that we are able to do what we do," Ms Sharp said.
"This money will go towards continuing to provide people like the Wards, who are affected by cancer in the Peel and Rockingham area, with the practical and emotional support that they need during a difficult time."
To find out more information about holding a fundraising event for Cancer Council WA, visit doitforcancer.com.au.
Further reading:
