Twelve Western Health breast cancer patients will receive a full makeover and take to the catwalk as part of a major fundraiser.
The patients will undergo a hair, make-up and clothes transformation and model the latest season’s fashions with Western Bulldog players escorting them down the runway during the sold-out BreastWest Night of Nights event at the Moonee Valley Racing Club on Thursday.
Patient and participant Michelle Menere, 37, of St Albans said the event was significant in the fight against breast cancer.
“It’s important to support this event as it raises much-needed funds to assist women in the west diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as providing funding for equipment for patient care,” Ms Menere said.
“Having to undergo cancer treatment often takes a huge financial toll, and the assistance that BreastWest offers plays an important part in ensuring these women are given access to all of the treatment and services they require.”
Ms Menere was diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year.
“At diagnosis, my reaction was complete devastation,” she said. “It took weeks and weeks to stop crying.
“After losing my mum to breast cancer when she was 44 years of age – I was 13 – I knew there was a chance that I would be diagnosed one day but never ever expected to be diagnosed at an even younger age.”
Since diagnosis, Ms Menere has undergone treatment including six months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and 25 radiotherapy sessions.
Despite the myriad of treatments, Ms Menere said she was feeling “quite well”. “It’s only now, seven months after finishing chemo, that I am beginning to feel somewhat normal.”
All proceeds from the BreastWest Night of Nights will go towards supporting women with breast cancer.
