Kate MClennan Pink Ribbon Day Interview

Kate MClennan Pink Ribbon Day Interview

Make it a Girl's Night In to help beat women's cancers

Support women affected by breast and gynaecological cancers for Pink Ribbon Day (Friday 23rd of October)

Do you love catching up with your girlfriends and the ladies in your family? Why not bring everyone together for a very special event, and raise much-needed funds to help beat women's cancers at the same time?

Whether it's an intimate event at your home, or a huge event out at a venue, it's all part of Girls' Night In – the fundraising campaign by Cancer Council to beat women's cancers in Australia.

Cancer Council is urging women to register a Girls' Night In to support the estimated 18,260 women who will be diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer this year. All money raised will help fund cancer research, early detection and patient support programs.

Every October, Australians come together to show their support for Cancer Council through Pink Ribbon Day (Friday 23 October), Girls' Night In and other Pink Ribbon fundraising events. Cancer Council is the only organisation that works across every area of women's cancers: research, prevention, support and advocacy.

Cancer Council aims to raise $7million through Pink Ribbon Day, Girls' Night In and Pink Ribbon fundraisers this year.

How to get involved

Getting involved is easy. Register a Girls' Night In or a pink fundraiser, volunteer, order a merchandise box or donate by visiting www.pinkribbonday.com.au, phone 1300 65 65 85 or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pinkribbonday

Buy Pink Ribbon Day items

This year's Pink Ribbon Day range includes the best-selling enamel pin ($5) and pink ribbon pens ($6).

Items from the Prink Ribbon Day range can be purchased at selected outlets* throughout October and on Pink Ribbon Day itself (Friday 23 October). Pink Ribbon Day stalls will also be set up by volunteers near local shopping areas, train and bus stations and other major locations. Visit www.pinkribbonday.com.au to find out a location near you.

How donations can help…

$5 Can help Cancer Council give a newly diagnosed cancer patient support and information resources for what is ahead
$10 Can help provide online support for patients and their families to learn more about their cancer risk, and what a diagnosis means, from the comfort of their own home

$25 Can provide a cancer patient with financial advice on budgeting, superannuation, insurance and debt management
$50 Can help fund a call to a cancer nurse on 13 11 20, that provides free information and support on all aspects of cancer
$100 Can help fund ground-breaking research into new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer

Interview with Kate MClennan

Kate McLennan is hosting a pink picnic in the park with her friends to raise money for Girls' Night In.

Kate is a 20-year-old student of psychology and business. Last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was Kate's second brush with cancer. She was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of eight.

Kate is hosting a Girls' Night In to help raise awareness, help others in the cancer community, and have some fun.

'Cancer Council was an immense help," she said. 'There was a huge amount of resources that were open to me after my diagnosis, and support networks, and information, and also ongoing support."

Question: Can you tell us a little bit about your family's history with cancer?

Kate MClennan: There are a fair few cases of breast cancer in my maternal grandparents side. My Maternal aunt had it, as well as my granpda's sister and a few of their cousins/relatives. It was also in my paternal grandmother at the end.


Question: As the days go on, has it become easier to reminisce the happy times of your parent's lives?

Kate MClennan: Very much so, the bad times fade and it becomes easier to remember the happy times. All the time I got to spend with my parents that I would not have spent otherwise. Such an event forms bonds like no other, you all have to pull together to make it through.

Question: What advice do you have for others who may be in a similar situation as you were?

Kate MClennan: Make sure that you keep your friends/family/support networks close. Its important to remember that what you are going through IS tough and it DOES suck, so its ok to cry, to be tired, to not want to do anything except eat chocolate or nothing at all. There are people who will be your side.


Question: Why is it important for you to participate in Pink Ribbon Day?

Kate MClennan: For me, it's about constantly reminding my friends that they need to be aware, to do their checks, to not get complacent. But to not fear it either, as long as we continue to do the great work that we are, raising money and awareness, we can beat this disease!


Question: Will you be registering a Girl's Night In?

Kate MClennan: Already have!


Question: If so, how do you plan to make this night fun yet raise money for the Cancer Council?

Kate MClennan: I am having a Pink Picnic, so it will be during the day. We are going to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and the warm spring weather, and each donate money to remind us of this great cause.


Interview by Brooke Hunter