Half Marathon of Hope

I lost one of my biggest cheerleaders when mum died three years ago. Never did I think that not long after I would have the strength to compete in my first half marathon to help raise funds for ovarian cancer – the very disease that took mum away from us.

Mum was my best friend. She squared up for the fight her life and survived a number of recurrences, giving us the gift of time and allowing her to meet all of her grandchildren. Five years after she was diagnosed, the treatment stopped working and hope was gone.

It's mum's determination and will to fight that will propel me towards that half marathon finish line.

Before June this year, I had dabbled in running (plodding) and loved it. I didn’t cover any great distance and it was hard to find time to get out and run, but when I did, I felt it clean out the cobwebs.

Come race day, I’ll have trained most days in the past 14 weeks. Early morning gym sessions for strength, home yoga so I’m not the tin man and more than 300 kms of running, all in preparation. It's been a time of great healing. This felt like a way I could do something after a time in my life where I felt so hopeless.

I get emotional sometimes thinking about how far I’ve come in such a short time, but it’s nothing in comparison to the determination summoned by those living with cancer, to live. 

When mum was told she had primary peritoneal cancer (a type of ovarian cancer) I was 35 weeks pregnant with our first child. Her specialist said there was treatment and surgery, that could work but that it would come back. No ifs, ands or buts.

There’s no early detection test for ovarian cancer. By the time you show symptoms like bloating or abdominal pain, you’re most likely to be in the advanced stages of the disease. Contrary to what some think, a pap smear will only find cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer.

If you were around in 1992 you might’ve recorded your favourite TV shows on video. Thankfully we’ve moved on from that technology, but treatment for ovarian cancer has barely changed since then.

Ovarian cancer is labelled rare, but it’s the eighth most-commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women. It’s also the most lethal gynaecological cancer.

I know of another five women, through my circle of friends, who’ve lost their lives to it. Two of them were under 45. There’s not a lot of hope with odds like those.

So, this half marathon is about hope.

Hope for those living with the disease and those who love them.

Hope that the next clinical trial gives us something.

Hope for the brilliant minds behind researching an early detection test and better treatments.

I feel humbled by the support of those around me, helping raise more than $4,000 for a cause that means so much to me. Beyond that, it’s the inspiration and support show by family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

I know when I run out onto the MCG, it’ll be an experience I’ll never forget – and I know my biggest cheerleader will be right by my side.