Patron of Bloomhill Cancer Care and three-time Olympic medallist Raelene Boyle will celebrate “making it to 70” with a ticketed party for the charity.
The Sunshine Coast local hopes to raise $70,000 from the event, to be held at Mercedes Benz Sunshine Coast on June 4.
Raelene survived breast and ovarian cancers, which she was diagnosed with after an extraordinary athletic career that included claiming three silver Olympic medals and winning seven gold medals at four Commonwealth Games.
“You get nervous, at the milestone birthdays – you know, when I was first diagnosed I didn’t know if I’d make it to 50,” Raelene said.
“You get nervous about whether it’s going to be the last big milestone. But here I am at 70 – I made it, and that’s 25 years post-diagnosis. So come celebrate with me.”
As a 17-year-old, Raelene represented Australia at the Olympics in Mexico City 1968, claiming silver in the 200m, placing fourth in the 100m, and setting world junior records in both distances.
Her records took 12 years and eight years respectively, to be broken.
She went on to collect a host of gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, in Edinburgh (1970), Christchurch (1974) and Brisbane (1982).
Raelene’s love of fitness, her personal drive and determination were all assets that helped her through her cancer experiences, which began in 1996 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Exercise has been my life saver,” she said.
“It might be a walk with the dog, a bike ride or mowing the lawn – but I’ve stayed active and that’s been great for mental health as well as recovering from cancer and cancer treatments.
“There’s a heap of science around that, and that informs Bloomhill’s commitment to exercise which is part of the tailored support it provides people with cancer. It’s really excellent what Bloomhill is doing, and I want everyone with cancer to know about them. You’ll simply never regret walking through those doors.”
Asked what was special about Bloomhill, Raelene said it was the quality care.
“It’s a caring place,” she said.
“You can come here and have counselling, have a massage, nurses look after you. The feel here is that you’re not walking into a clinical area, where you have to say, ‘I’ve got cancer’. You’re in a kindred spirit place. In this world of cancer there’s nothing worse than someone walking up to you and asking you how you are. At Bloomhill they ask – ‘what can we do for you’?”
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Funds raised will help Bloomhill continue to provide individualised support for people with cancer and their loved ones.
Bloomhill’s Clinical Services Manager Trish Wilson said: “I’m thrilled Raelene has chosen to fundraise for us as a way of celebrating life 25 years post-diagnosis. She’s a remarkable woman, and a true friend to us in our work to help Coast residents of all ages and backgrounds experiencing cancer.
“Thanks to scientific advances we are seeing more and more clients live long, fulfilling lives after treatment. Of course many, many beautiful people in our region are also lost to cancer every year, and we want to honour them and their loved ones at this time as well – as does Raelene.”
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Bloomhill Chair Michael Wise said: “Raelene is a celebrated icon in the cancer community nationwide, she is an advocate and her time is in demand – we’re so excited and honoured she is holding just one event for such an important milestone.
“She and Judy have a great night planned, with a charity auction, drinks including locally-distilled spirits, and some quirky items for sale including 70 limited edition cupcakes.
“We hope to raise $70,000. Please get behind us. Every dollar will go toward our nurses and allied health staff providing much-needed help to Coast residents with cancer.”
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic meant many of Bloomhill’s fundraising events had to be cancelled.
Its Fundraise For Us program, run by Fundraising Lead Nikki Firmin, has seen many individuals and organisations rally to support Bloomhill, digging deep and rallying the community to ensure the charity has a sustainable future.
For ticket information please visit www.bloomhill.com.au/Event/raelene-boyles-70th-birthday.
