DESPITE being diagnosed with breast cancer twice in the past decade, Ros O’Keefe remains cheerful about the cards life has dealt her.
Ms O’Keefe was first diagnosed with the illness in 2004 and underwent a mastectomy.
More recently, the 46-year-old grandmother had another mastectomy – plus radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery – after being diagnosed with a second tumour.
In September last year, Ms O’Keefe finished the bulk of her treatment but she still attends hospital once every three weeks to take an anti-cancer drug.
“The breast cancer chemotherapy I had was quite a harsh dose because the cancer I had was quite aggressive,” Ms O’Keefe said.
“I was more devastated that I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes than when I lost my hair.
“But I always have people say, ‘We don’t know why you’re so happy and at peace and outgoing’.”
“I don’t get depressed or upset, because the cancer’s in the past and it’s not my future.”
Ms O’Keefe, whose back is tattooed with a garden theme – including flowers and butterflies- is a family friend of the Crundwells, including Matthew who runs the Dizzmattix Tattoo Studio in Gladstone Park.
The studio has organised the 2013 Vintage Speedway and Tattoo Show on Sunday 24 March, to raise funds for the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre and the McGrath Foundation.
The event will be held in Tullamarine and trophies will be awarded for the best cars, bikes and tattoos on display.
“It is a good thing they’re doing,” said Ms O’Keefe, who will helping out on the day.
The show will be on at the Melbourne Airport Club, 309 Melrose Dve, Tullamarine between 10am-3pm on 24 March.
Cost: $2, children under 10 free. To donate to the cause visit http://mcgrathfoundation.gofundraise.com.au/page/cancerfundraiser
