Wearing pink for a purpose

MORE than 2000 people will take to the starter’s line to participate in next weekend’s Geelong Mother’s Day Classic.

The May 11 event will be held at Eastern Park and will aim to raise vital funds to support breast and ovarian cancer research.

The Mother’s Day Classic will feature both a 4km and 8km walk and run course, as well as an embrace and honour walk.

Geelong local Isla Foy is one of the many local participants who will be shining a light on the cause.

Ms Foy, who has joined the event committee this year, was diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy in 2023.

“It’s very close to my heart and I’m sure everyone knows someone touched by it,” she said.

“Through my journey, I met a lot of amazing women and shared lots of stories with them, so I was inspired to help at the Geelong event.

“It’s amazing to be able to honour people in this way.”

Last Mother’s Day, more than 85,000 Australians gathered for the Classic in 75 locations nationally.

The Classic is the largest donor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, having donated more than $46.1 million over the past 27 years.

This year’s event will also build on the relationship established in 2024 with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

“I personally believe I wouldn’t be here today without the research they’ve done,” Ms Foy said.

“I was very lucky that we caught it, and that I’m still here to tell my story.

“I am very strong about young women checking themselves and getting checked up.

“The more people that can participate, the more research can be done.”

Mother’s Day Classic Foundation chief executive officer Zara Lawless said the major event has sparked significant positive change in the research space.

“Events like the Mother’s Day Classic and the public support of medical research have facilitated a significant improvement in survival rates for more than 21,000 Australians diagnosed each year with breast cancer,” she said.

“The MDC community has shown that it can and wants to strive for more, to also improve the outcomes for women with ovarian cancer, a disease for which there is still no early detection test.”

The event will also feature children’s activities, food trucks, guest speakers, raffles and live music in the event village on Oval 3 of Eastern Park. Volunteers are still being sought to assist with the day.

For more information, head to mothersdayclassic.com.au/event/mothers-day-classic-geelong .