IT’S Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Jodie Amor, founder of local charity Pink Finss, is calling on women of all ages to get tested.
Having lived with the disease, she said raising awareness means a lot to her, and she is encouraging women to get tested regularly to help minimise the impact.
“I support Breast Cancer Awareness Month as personally it means so much to me,” Ms Amor said.
“I’m living proof of early detection, 11 years on and the healthiest I have ever been.
“But if it wasn’t for regular visits to my GP yearly and staying in tune with my body, my story could be very different.
“I encourage all woman – especially woman under 40 – to have yearly checkups with their GP, ask for an ultrasound and look after their bodies and live a healthy life.”
Ms Amor was just 33 and married with two young children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the journey that transpired from her fight not only changed her life forever, but the lives of many others.
It was through her battle with cancer that Ms Amor formed Pink Finss, which has gone on to support hundreds of women suffering from cancer in the Hawkesbury community.
The Pink Finss mission is to create a supportive environment for any woman who is currently suffering from breast cancer as well as to raise awareness and money to assist local women suffering from breast cancer and their families – whether it be financial, emotional or practical support.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organised by major breast cancer charities every October.
As a way to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, national breast cancer charity the McGrath Foundation is calling on local communities to 'Pink Up Your Town'.
From local businesses to schools and community organisations, everyone is encouraged to ‘pink up’ their area – be it office spaces, classrooms or sports stadiums – as a show of support for breast cancer sufferers and their families.
The Gazette has painted the front window of the office pink with angel wings, and we are encouraging anyone walking by to take a photo of themselves and their friends in front of the angel wings, send them in to us at sarah.falson@fairfaxmedia.com.au, and see themselves in print over the coming weeks.
The office is at 255 Windsor Street, Richmond.
Monetary donations can be made at www.pinkfinss.com.au – you can choose your own amount to donate, and every little bit will help Ms Amor and her team continue their incredible work supporting the local breast cancer community.