JUMP TO IT! For Ovarian Cancer Research

Yes this is me! Exited the plane at 15,000ft for 60 seconds of freefall. It was amazing, I wouldn’t have ever done this without the motivation for fundraising. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and encouraged me.

Definitely out of my comfort zone here. No head for heights. Hoping to keep my feet on the ground for a lot longer. Diagnosing my Ovarian Cancer was easy, but way too late.

Having been looked after so well by the Otago/Canterbury Gynae/Oncology teams I have chosen to TANDEM SKYDIVE raising money for the GRACI Foundation, (Gynaecological Cancer Research and Clinical Innovation ) based in Otago and Canterbury.

I will get some coverage in the local press with the aim of increasing awareness of Ovarian Cancer amongst women and their whanau, especially what signs and symptoms to look out for. Funding for research to enable earlier detection is important. There is no cure and survival rates are dependent on earliest detection and response to treatment. Ovarian Cancer is a complex disease that can affect women at any age, though more common after 50yrs. A woman dies every 48 hours from Ovarian Cancer in NZ.

Symptoms can seem pretty benign; rushing to the loo, bloating, weight gain, back pain, fatigue, painful intercourse. I just thought I was getting old! None of my symptoms would would have made me think I could have a deadly cancer until I consulted Google, and decided to leg it to the GP. Trust your intuition. Women know their own body. If something feels wrong, however minor, don't dismiss it. I did at first. Be persistent if that's what's needed, my GP listened and acted promptly.

My surgery was brilliantly successful, but I haven't responded to standard chemotherapy, so I now have regular appointments to monitor progression and I am being treated palliatively. This is my thank you to the whole team that supports me and hopefully the funds raised will contribute to more positive outcomes for women and their families, in the future. If just one woman thinks, hey, this isn't right, I wonder if...and is detected early, then this has all been worthwhile.