Community
27 August, 2023
Brave mum spreads awareness
WARRNAMBOOL mother of two, Susannah Gleeson, is an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of meeting her.
The 43-year-old, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2020, has ridden the emotional roller-coaster which often comes with a diagnosis – a ride she continues on with the help of her loving family and friends.
“It has certainly been a journey (since diagnosis),” Susannah said.
“My partner Isaac and I have two children, Ava who is 11, and five year-old Jack, but Jack was only two when I was diagnosed.
“And COVID was also running rampant back then so that just added another layer to the battle because it meant I was alone in hospital as no visitors were allowed.”
But in true Aussie spirit, Susannah decided she had no option but to “soldier on” and go through the treatments available.
And fortunately she could undergo them all in Warrnambool thanks to the cancer centre in the city and all the specialists who were available for appointments.
“I remember back in 2020 I was having a shower when I discovered a lump in my breast. I made an appointment with my doctor and was diagnosed with breast cancer soon afterwards,” Susannah said.
“I hadn’t been unwell but in hindsight I had been extremely tired but at the time I just put that down to Jack not sleeping well.”
Following her diagnosis, Susannah started months of chemotherapy which was then followed by surgery, radiation treatment and then, later that same year, reconstructive surgery.
The breast cancer had also spread to her lymph nodes under her arm and was attached to the skin.
“When someone is diagnosed with cancer (of any form) it’s not just that individual who goes through the journey, it’s also their family, friends and other loved ones,” Susannah said.
"Sometimes the focus is on the patient but it also should be on their family. My partner, kids, parents, everyone around us was affected in some way – even my work colleagues at Emmanual College.”
Susannah said she would be forever grateful, not only to the treating physicians, but also to those who rallied around her family and offered their love, support, meals and other help.
“I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful support network and I’ll never know how to repay everyone for all that they did, not just for me but for Isaac and our kids; we’ll be forever grateful.”
Now in remission and slowly regaining her strength, Susannah has returned to teaching three days a week and does all that she can to promote the work of the Cancer Council through Relay for Life and the upcoming annual Daffodil Day.
“I do still get tired and don’t have the energy levels I once did but I’m thrilled to be back teaching and I’m hoping my energy will build with time,” she said.
Susannah took part in last year’s Relay for Life and is already working on building a team for the 2024 event, to be held in Warrnambool on February 17.
“People can register now and start building teams for next year’s event. It’s a great way to raise cancer awareness and to raise some much-needed funds towards cancer research – and having been touched by the disease I’ll do all that I can to raise as much as possible,” she said.
Susannah and her mum travelled to Melbourne last weekend to take part in the ‘Field of Women’ at the MCG.
Thousands gathered in pink to form the shape of a woman in the centre of the MCG.
“It was actually a very emotional day for mum and I,” Susannah said.
“At one stage we were asked to raise our hands if we’d had breast cancer.
I looked around and it seemed at least half the people there had their hands up; and that was quite sad.”
Figures show in Australia, 27 people a day get diagnosed with breast cancer alone.
Next Thursday, August 31, is Cancer Council Daffodil Day and the slogan for this year is ‘For all that cancer takes, give it your all.’
“The treatment that I have received is no doubt very different to that of patients 10 years ago and that’s all thanks to cancer research and advances in treatments. I’ll do all I can to raise money because I’m just so thankful for all the help I’ve received.”
With an average of 1219 people diagnosed with cancer in Warrnambool each year, chances are most people living in the community have been touched by cancer.
“Cancer takes so much - from all of us. It takes from our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and our family,” Cancer Council Victoria’s head of fundraising Lyrian Fleming-Parsley said.
“By giving this Daffodil Day, we can help stop cancer from taking so much. We can give for all the people who’ve been affected by a cancer diagnosis, whether that’s you, or someone close to you. Giving, that’s what Daffodil Day is all about.”
Daffodil Day is all about raising vital funds for Cancer Council’s life-saving cancer research.
“In 2020, Cancer Council and its research partners directed over $54 million to research grants for vital research projects across Australia, but more is desperately needed,” Ms Fleming-Parsley said.
Over 49,000 Australians died from cancer in 2019 but thanks to investment in research, amazing advancements have been made in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, which has helped increase survival rates from 51 per cent in the late 1980s to around 70 per cent.
“Every person who donates or buys daffodils on August 31 will be helping us to continue investing in life-saving cancer research programs,” Ms Fleming-Parsley said.
This year marks 37 years of Daffodil Day, and this year Victorians are encouraged to give it their all.
All donations and funds raised through Daffodil Day will directly fund cancer research projects across Australia, helping save lives and bringing us closer to a cancer-free future.
You can support Daffodil Day by donating or buying daffodils at www.daffodilday.com.au or phone 1300 65 65 85, or by hosting a fundraiser.
