Pulse Property Group’s annual Breast Cancer Morning Tea is a cause literally close to Ros Thompson’s heart.
The Rossmoyne local has been a regular at the community fundraiser since its inception in 2014, but a chance mammogram booked by her daughter on the same day as the morning tea two years ago meant she couldn’t attend.
Ros told the 6th Annual National Breast Cancer Foundation Morning Tea that the double booking saved her life and made her even more passionate about supporting the Pulse Property Group event.
More than 150 people sipped bubbles, feasted on a grazing table laden with scones, petit fours, fruit and savoury delights, before hearing inspiring tales of survival from Ros and other locals.
At 54 Ros was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and will still have to spend several years on oral chemotherapy. But the outcome could’ve been a whole lot different.
“My nanna died of breast cancer and this absolutely horrible disease just seems to be in my family’s horrible genes,” she said. “My experience has made me an even bigger advocate for regular breast checks and early diagnosis.”
Ros told the crowd at the morning tea that she found it hard to articulate the importance of mammograms.
“After my own experience I pushed three of my friends to have a mammogram,” she said. “Breast cancer was found in all three of them and all three had mastectomies.”
Bunty Evans, another survivor who also spoke at the event at the Rossmoyne Bowling Club, said she had her first mastectomy in 1986 after “going to see a doctor with just a sore throat”.
Then in June this year the cancer returned and she is now recovering from another mastectomy.
“It’s all about attitude,” she told the morning tea gathering. “If you give up and sit in a corner and cry you won’t get anywhere.”
Mike Eastman, cancer survivor and head of Contemporary Music at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, was MC at the event which raised more than $8,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Pulse Property Group director Di Addenbrooke said the success of the morning tea was testament to the support of local businesses and community and the courage of the guest speakers.
“This charity morning tea has become an important event for the community,” she said. “It’s a chance to celebrate the resilience and strength of those who have battled this terrible disease, while at the same time help raise funds and awareness to continue the fight.”
Di thanked local businesses Atrium Homes, Buurman Finance Solutions
Bara Electrical & Services, Total Home Inspections, Worldwide, Express Property Settlements – Perth for their support and sponsorship.
If you were unable to attend and would still like to donate, please go to https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraiser/pulsepropertygroup.
