Jenny Pollard, The Buloke Times
With the cold weather relegated to the outdoors, Charlton residents and businesses declared their support for cancer research, raising $926 at last Wednesday’s “Biggest Morning Tea”, hosted by CWA Branch, Cabbaritta, and held in the warm confines of the Charlton Lions Lodge.
In a convivial atmosphere, enhanced by the aroma of heated finger food and with tables awash with home-cooked goodies, the enjoyment factor was set to “high” as the funds mounted for the annual Cancer Council activity.
Cabbaritta has a long history of supporting this event, and over many years, branch members have not only produced remarkable amounts of mouth-watering delicacies and raised considerable sums of money, but have also sadly bidden farewell to members and close associates of the group who have succumbed to this disease.
Battle
This year, however, an uplifting addition to the morning was the introduction of former local, and now returnee to Charlton, Leanne Fanning, who recounted her remarkable battle with cancer, and the journey which has now brought her to a healthy outcome.
Pragmatic, and with a no-nonsense attitude, Leanne’s address was light on self-pity considering the severity of her cancer diagnoses, which started in 2018. Two tumors, discovered in her breast, had developed within the short space of just three weeks, and had reached a Grade 3 level. Exhibiting no symptoms, the diagnosis was uncovered only due to the investigation of her inverted nipples.
The rapid acceleration of the cancer necessitated an almost immediate mastectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy followed by six months of radiation treatment.
“All Clear?”
After receiving an “all clear” on the breast cancer, Leanne’s world was again thrown into turmoil when on her five-year check-up, a massive reading on her blood test revealed she had high grade ovarian cancer.
Once again on the medical round-about, she endured three lots of chemo to reduce the tumors, followed by a total hysterectomy, oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), and peritonectomy (removal of tumors from the abdominal cavity). Another three rounds of chemo, and she is what she proudly describes as “NED” (no evidence of disease).
“The only reason I reached this outcome is because of the fundraisers such as the Biggest Morning Tea, and Pink Lady Day and others,” said Leanne, “because both tablets I’m on are the result of the research which these fundraisers make possible.
“The tablet I’m on for ovarian cancer costs $183,000 a year, and I have three tablets per day. The only reason I’m on that tablet is because the chemo worked, and this is a trial which has proven to work. I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to pay for it!
“From events such as this (Biggest Morning Tea), the funds do go to people who need it,” Leanne said. “I’m now fine, well, and loving life!”
Following her address, Cabbaritta vice-president, Bernice Kenny, presented Leanne with a gift in appreciation of sharing her story.
Bernice also thanked the many attendees and supporters who champion this annual cause, and was pleased to acknowledge the 36 businesses which had placed orders, along with the Charlton Golf Ladies who also enjoyed a lavish morning tea.
The conversations and camaraderie continued, along with the drawing of the raffles, with gifts donated by CWA members.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 27 June 2023.
