Cancer fundraiser is personal

Elleker General Store and Tavern owner Glenda Parsons was one of many women who thought breast cancer would never happen to her.

But knowing her sister had once had the disease, she made sure she had check-ups every 12 months at the BreastScreen WA mobile van, as she did again this year.

This time, she was called back with the shocking news she had been diagnosed with the disease.

“You think that it doesn’t happen to you, does it? It happens to everybody else,” Mrs Parsons said. “But it can strike anybody at any time.”

Sometimes too unwell to make it to work, Mrs Parsons’ loyal staff are campaigning during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She has just finished her third round of fortnightly chemotherapy and has five rounds to go.

The treatment should finish a week before Christmas.

Now more than ever, she believes all women should get regular check-ups.

“I had gone to the breast screening van at the Albany Hospital and had a mammogram and then they sent me for an ultrasound when they found I had the tumour,” she said.

“It was lucky that we found it.

“Sometimes I think that two years might be too long because mine grew in 12 months. The van really helps because where else would you go?

“If they call you back like I had a recall, then you can go back the next day, because waiting for the results plays on your mind all the time.”

Regularly flying to and from Perth for treatment, she said her staff had kept the business ticking.

“Some days, I can’t go to work because I feel so sick, so I just go when I can and do what I can,” Mrs Parsons said.

The staff at Elleker Tavern are hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness morning tea this Saturday and everyone is invited.

The theme for the morning tea is Pretty in Pink.

A representative from local group Knitted Knockers will be at the event to show how they are helping women with breast cancer.

There will be prizes and raffles, and attendees are asked to bring a plate of food to share.

The morning tea starts at 10.30am on Saturday.