“Although my cancer wasn’t genetic, I had watched my father die of lung cancer and my mother of bowel cancer. I simply believed it was my turn,” she said. 

Born and bred in the Yass Valley Maree has worked for over 17 years as an administrator at Yass Valley Council. 

At only 49-years of age, cancer was the last thing she thought she would have to deal with.  

“It was all a bit of a whirlwind when I was diagnosed, my world, as I knew it, simply came to a screeching stop,” reflected Maree. 

“I had been to a 50th birthday party, relaxing and socializing with friends. It was when I got home that I noticed something different about my breasts; I hadn’t noticed it before so it took me by surprise, there was no lump and no pain. 

It was November 2011 when I was diagnosed. I was very lucky; I had it in both breasts and there were two different types of cancer.”

The mother of two had a bilateral mastectomy and had to endure the many rounds of chemotherapy. 

“It certainly wasn’t a pleasant experience but I had some amazing support networks. My family, colleagues and friends got me through it,” she said.  

“I can’t speak highly enough of Can-Assist in Yass. They are a truly amazing organisation and, aside from the financial help people with cancer receive, it is the support and kindness shown by the volunteers that helps you get through. I think I received a phone call every two weeks from someone, checking in on me, making sure I was ok and whether there was anything I needed.”

For Maree, one of the more difficult experiences throughout her struggle was seeing the changes in her appearance.  

“The day my hair fell out, because of the chemotherapy, was a really low point for me. But it was the same day a former colleague at Yass Valley Council told me the staff were organising an event, in support of me and to raise money for cancer research, she continued. 

Ten of the Yass Valley Council staff either shaved their heads, beards or moustaches or coloured their hair for the cause. 

“A large percentage of staff have experienced the trauma and fear that a cancer diagnosis brings,” she said.  

“I could never thank the staff at Yass Valley Council enough for the love and support they showed me.”

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea in Yass Valley

The staff of Yass Valley Council are again banding together for the upcoming Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, holding a staff “bake off” to help raise money for the Cancer Council. All the staff are donating a morning tea item and residents will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite cake or slice. 

“I’m going to be making a super-secret family recipe for the day,” said Maree. 

“The coveted Golden Whisk is the prize, but for me it will be about bringing people together and raising money for cancer research.”

“I encourage as many people as possible to pop into one of the many morning teas being held. We need to continue to donate and find a cure for this terrible disease. Most importantly, we need to provide an opportunity for survivors or their family and friends to talk openly about their experience. The psychological scars that people bare from the experience, either as a patient or as their support, are very real and permanent.”

Locations

Gundaroo: Saturday, May 21, 10.30 am until 1.00pm at the Gundaroo Soldiers Memorial Hall.

Bowning: Wednesday, May 25, 10 am until 12 pm at Mayfield Mews. 

Yass: Friday, May 27, 9 am until 2 pm at Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall.