Trotting Club turns pink

THE harness racing will turn pink this Tuesday, 19 February when Ballarat Pink Phoenix breast cancer support group holds an evening fundraiser at Ballarat and District Trotting Club.

Organisers and breast cancer survivors, Kaz George and Pauline Prebble are looking forward to a relaxed and inclusive evening of fun, food and friends, where cancer is the cause, but not the main focus.

Attendees can come along and grab a race book, place some bets, watch some racing and enjoy a sit-down dinner. Raffle prizes have been donated by sponsors and speakers will address the room.

Miss George was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 15 years ago. She’s looking forward to a great night where the broader Ballarat and Pink Phoenix communities will come together to support one another.

“We had a ball last year,” she said. “We keep it local. When people support us, the money is staying in Ballarat.”

Tuesday night’s funds will be directed to Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre and Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre, to give back to women currently battling breast cancer here.

Mrs Prebble emphasised how fortunate Ballarat is, being well-resourced with facilities like BRICC, and for the last few years, radiotherapy treatments.

She was diagnosed with the disease four years ago after her late mother had also battled it.

“We’re very, very lucky,” Mrs Prebble said. “There are very few people that aren’t touched by cancer at some point in their life.”

The group hopes their fundraisers act as an awareness generator too. Pink Phoenix encourages people to talk afterwards and help their networks to be aware of the expertise and services available in Ballarat if ever they need them.

“They’re conversation starters,” Mrs Prebble said. “You don’t have to tell people the ins and outs of everything, but if you’re aware of something, you can tell them a bit more if it’s of interest to them or of relevance.”

Ballarat Pink Phoenix was formed in 2007 and meets every third Tuesday to provide peer to peer support to women who are currently experiencing or have survived breast cancer.

It’s a nurturing and non-judgemental environment where women can travel their unique journey, but know they’re not alone. Discover more at ballaratpinkphoenix.org.au.

If you are interested in joining in the fun next Tuesday night, you can contact Kaz George on 0416 323 988 or Pauline Prebble on 0448 739 723. Pink Phoenix group members will be identifiable on the night by their name tags.