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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Miss George was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 15 years ago. She\u2019s looking forward to a great night where the broader Ballarat and Pink Phoenix communities will come together to support one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a ball last year,\u201d she said. \u201cWe keep it local. When people support us, the money is staying in Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tuesday night\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Mrs Prebble emphasised how fortunate Ballarat is, being well-resourced with facilities like BRICC, and for the last few years, radiotherapy treatments.<\/p>\n
She was diagnosed with the disease four years ago after her late mother had also battled it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very, very lucky,\u201d Mrs Prebble said. \u201cThere are very few people that aren\u2019t touched by cancer at some point in their life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re conversation starters,\u201d Mrs Prebble said. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell people the ins and outs of everything, but if you\u2019re aware of something, you can tell them a bit more if it\u2019s of interest to them or of relevance.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n