Woman given a year to live shares 20 years of adventures in new film

WHEN Donna-Lou Nixon was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and told by her doctor she had just one year to live, she was devastated.

More than two decades later, she is still here – and has packed those years with adventures many people only dream of, including stand-up paddleboarding expeditions across Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

The Norah Head woman was in her early 40s with two primary school-aged children when she received the shock diagnosis.

“I was a good time Charlie; I had a great life,” she said.

After spending several months sitting on the lounge in disbelief, Nixon decided it was time to start living again.

The years that followed were not without challenges. She battled secondary tumours in her bowel and throat, enduring difficult periods of treatment and recovery.

During one particularly long stretch confined to bed, an idea began to take shape.

“I thought, ‘I wonder if I could put a pushbike on a SUP (stand-up paddleboard)’,” she said.

The idea gave her something to focus on. She began planning, researching and ordering equipment, and when she eventually recovered a couple of years later, she was ready to set off.

Now 64, Nixon credits her active lifestyle and determination with helping her defy the odds. Each year, she heads off on a three-month adventure.

“Norway has my heart,” she said. “It’s like New Zealand on steroids, it’s incredible. I just feel at home there.”

For Nixon, the freedom of travelling under her own steam is a big part of the appeal.

“I was at home for so long with everyone doing everything for me, which was great and I really appreciated it, but I just felt like a caged lion,” she said.

Throughout her journeys, Nixon captured her experiences on a GoPro. Once she had accumulated two decades of footage, she decided to turn her memories into a film.

“I’m not a filmmaker,” she said. “I just put it together a few months ago.”

The 21-minute film, MORE – named because Nixon believes in wanting more from life – will screen as part of the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour at Brunswick Picture House in Brunswick Heads at 7pm on Saturday 22 August.

For more information and tickets, visit brunswickpicturehouse.com