By Mikayla van Loon
In the spirit of celebration, community and cancer research, a group gathered at Japara’s Kilsyth Community Hub for a Biggest Morning Tea on Tuesday 21 May.
The Cancer Council fundraising event, always held in May, sees organisations, businesses, individuals and community groups come together for the single cause of helping fund research projects and support programs for people experiencing cancer treatment.
Japara was just one of close to 25,000 registered morning tea hosts across the country.
For community engagement coordinator Christie Humble and her mum Leanne, who experienced her own battle with breast cancer after a diagnosis in 2016, the morning tea means a whole lot more than just cakes and coffee.
“My mum wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Cancer Council’s research,” Christie said.
“Every Christmas, every graduation, every child’s birthday, everything there is. There are people around those tables year in, year out because of what the Cancer Council does. So the Biggest Morning Tea is just one day but what they’re doing makes it possible every day.”
Leanne started treatment a mere 17 days after her diagnosis, something she said was “really hard” but she was lucky to have the support of her family and the Cancer Council’s programs.
Although being bedridden for much of her treatment, Leanne said she was able to attend beauty sessions, known as feel good days, as well as getting a wig fitted when she lost her hair, small things that made her feel better.
But post the cancer treatment phase, Leanne then fell into a depression, something that was just as hard to overcome.
“It was only afterwards that I had to work through all the things I’d suppressed but now, years later, we’re in a good place,” she said.
Having been cancer free for a number of years now, Leanne still undergoes preventative treatment and has regular appointments with her oncologist and surgeon to ensure the cancer remains at bay.
Christie said every dollar that is donated to the Cancer Council helps ensure awareness around things like melanoma and getting moles checked is a common thread of thought in society.
“For all the research they do, there’s so much more to be done. We are so lucky that so many cancer treatments are available and so many preventative measures, and there are still so many areas of research where people don’t get these outcomes,” she said.
“One third of all cancers are preventable and cancer prevention is one of the most effective ways to create a cancer free future. The Biggest Morning Tea helps spread that message,” Japara board chair Mark Doubleday said.
The event has grown every year since the 2022 morning tea and this year with the inclusion of both the Yarra Valley Singers and Japara’s occasional care little people, it was no different.
“Over 80 big and little people registered for the Japara Biggest Morning Tea,” Mark said.
“It’s simple, get together, share morning tea with friends, community and colleagues, make a donation and help further cancer research and support for those affected by cancer.
“Cancer affects all people and [the occasional care attendees’] involvement is part of learning about this and also joining in with everyone.”
Christie too said it was a wonderful addition to have the young members of the community join, in hopes they engage with events and fundraising efforts as they grow older.
“It was so lovely having early years here. We love that we have a community where children are becoming a part of such a valuable day and they’re having that exposure.
“Hopefully, that will continue and this awareness of today will grow. Hopefully, it sows the seeds of wanting to be part of a community, wanting to be a part of days like this and that we’ll see future generations being more community minded.”
