By YASEMIN TALAT
A group of friends from Hobsons Bay are standing up against cancer this March by raising vital funds to find an end to cancer.
Rebecca Briffa, Jessica Forbes, Kat Carmichael, Sarah Mathews and Jenny Murphy are ‘The Vi’lettes’ and together next March will take part in The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
During the weekend of 1-2 March 2014 thousands will take part in the two-day, 60 kilometre walk in Melbourne with all funds raised going directly to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The women have rallied together in memory of their friend, who at only 33 years old, lost her two year battle of metastatic breast cancer in April.
Ms Briffa said the strength her friend had was unexplainable and the bond developed with the group of friends over the tough time was a force to be reckoned with.
“When I think about our dear friend I remember all the good times and her vibrant personality,” Ms Briffa said.
“These are the memories I hold dear and this walk isn’t to remember the suffering and tough times, but the good times,” she said.
“The laughs, adventures and never give up attitude.”
The women described themselves as an “inseparable group” who were lucky to have each other.
And although admitting they were no athletes, they wanted to take part in the walk in memory of their friend and for all women and their loved ones.
“Everyone has or will be touched by cancer at some point in their lives with 1 in 3 Australian women affected in their lifetime,” Ms Briffa said.
“This is a crazy and scary statistic and I know I don’t want to see anyone go through this horrible disease again,” she said.
“We can’t cure cancer on our own, but together we can try and we can certainly make a difference.”
So far The Vi’lettes have raised $8,672 and are aiming to raise $14,200.
To donate, register or for more information about the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers go to www.endcancer.org.au or call 1300 44 WALK (9255).
