Cancer Council

Eight years ago, Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time during a routine check-up, “I hadn’t even thought it could all go wrong again”. Sue was told she would need a double mastectomy which then led to eight correctional surgeries. “Cancer attracts other problems”, while Sue was going through her surgeries her father died and her daughter was going through divorce.

“Physically I was really well but mentally I was all over the place. I was really resentful and very angry but determined not to show that to people.” Sue was fit, healthy and doing everything you should to maintain a healthy lifestyle, “I remember seeing people at the supermarket smoking outside or eating a packet of chips and thinking ‘why me?’.”

The private hospitals Sue was in and out of didn’t have the support resources that Sue needed, it wasn’t until her friend handed her a card with Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support number on it, that she was able to talk to someone about her experiences.

“One day I was minding my grandchild who would have been about three at the time, I realised I need to get over this because I am not enjoying my life.”

Sue called 13 11 20 where she was put on right away to one of Cancer Council’s healthcare professionals. “He asked me how I felt and what was wrong. He just listened to me and he didn’t say anything negative to me, he said, ‘it’s not your fault you know?’ and he agreed with me that it wasn’t fair.” The man on the other side of the phone was able to remind Sue that she may not have done as well physically if she had not been living a healthy lifestyle.

Not only did 13 11 20 help Sue with her mental well-being, but they also alerted her to familiar testing and research. “We sent my tumours for testing and only found out recently that there were two genes that meant you had a 22% higher chance of developing breast cancer more than once.” Sue’s children were all over 40 at the time and therefore at risk of developing breast cancer.

“It wasn’t until years later that I thought ‘he really did know’. If he hadn’t said the importance of looking into familiar testing, we wouldn’t have known to check and been open to more research into the cancer. I wouldn’t listen to family or friends, but I could really listen to him.”

Before the pandemic, Sue was working in Blacktown Hospital in the Information Service where she still recommends for patients to call 13 11 20 if they need support.

“It’s amazing how a short conversation with someone really changed my attitude, I got back to being my old self quickly. Without the support of 13 11 20 I don’t know where I would be.”

Your Dry July fundraising in 2021 helped Cancer Council continue to support people affected by cancer across Australia through their 13 11 20 Information and Support Line – an incredible feat that would have been impossible without you.

“As a healthcare professional working on 13 11 20, I know how important the information and support we provide to our callers are. Generous funding from Dry July enables our service to continue its vital work.” – Jan Priaulx 13 11 20 Healthcare Professional

13 11 20 is there for all Australians, with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals answering calls from hundreds of Australians every single day. Over $3million was raised in 2021 which was directed to 13 11 20 across Australia, the money you have raised stays in your territory – ensuring that there is local support available for those who need it most.

“Thank you for the information and links. I’m so grateful for all the support you and everyone has provided these past few months.” – Anonymous 13 11 20 caller

On behalf of Cancer Council and all the people that will access 13 11 20 in 2022, thank you for helping us be there to take the call and ensure no one has to face cancer alone.

Your Dry July fundraising this year has helped Cancer Council Australia continue running their 13 11 20 Information and Support Line across every Australian state and territory – an incredible feat that would have been impossible without you.

13 11 20 is there for all Australians, with dedicated teams of health professionals with cancer care experience answering calls from hundreds of Australians every single day. The money you have raised will stay in your state or territory – ensuring that there is local support available for those who need it most.

On behalf of Cancer Council – and all the people that will access 13 11 20 in the year ahead – thank you for helping us be there to take the call and ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

Marnie could never have predicted what 2020 had in store for her. At the beginning of the year, she was studying to become a nurse, taking classes with her dance company, and hanging out with friends.

“When I was diagnosed, it was a time in my life when I was just starting to find my feet and discover where I belonged in the world. Then it all came crashing down,” said Marnie.

In March, not only did she have to endure the shock of a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis, she had to complete treatment through all the uncertainty and disruption of COVID-19.

“No one could come in [to the hospital] with me – I think mum came to my first treatment and from there I was on my own,” said Marnie.

“It’s pretty scary because you’re going into hospital not knowing what’s really going on and all by yourself, but I guess that’s how it had to be.”

When Marnie was first diagnosed, it was completely unexpected. It was purely by chance that her cancer – already at stage 3 – was discovered.

Read Marnie's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/marnies-story 

Your Dry July fundraising helps us support Cancer Council Australia's 13 11 20 Information and Support Line.

The national service provides cancer-specific information, as well as emotional and practical support to more than 37,000 callers across Australia each year.

The 13 11 20 line operates from Monday-Friday, 9-5pm. ☎️

To find out more visit: www.cancer.org.au/support-and-servi…/cancer-council-13-11-20