Hawkesbury resident dedicated to Pankind ’ s cause
Hawkesbury resident and ex-colleague of ours at the Hawkesbury Independent Gemma Healey linked up with Bligh Park Soccer Club for Play in Purple weekend on the last weekend of July to raise awareness for Pankind , the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation .
Gemma tragically lost her father to the awful disease two years ago after an 11-month late father . battle and she has made it her own personal mission to help raise awareness and make sure she can do what she can to support this important cause .
Clubs across the state all got involved with the Play in Purple initiative where players donned purple socks in a show of support and solidarity as well as a way to provide funds to the cause .
“ I ’ d been working with Lisa Brooks from Pankind to help organise this event to raise much needed funds to help other families ,” Healey says .
“ There ’ s already break throughs for pancreatic cancer this year . No one should have to go through what myself and family endured . We are in the 21st century and should be able to live in a world cancer free . If I could turn back time and get my best friend back I would , but at the moment this cause means everything to me – raising much needed funds to help families who need it the most .
WITH PATRICK STAVELEY
Gemma pictured with her
Bligh Park All Age Men ’ s wearing the purple socks .
“ Pancreatic Cancer is the third biggest cancer killer in Australia . Sixty three Australians die from this horrible disease each week . I was lucky enough to get six months with my dad . However , I know some people are lucky to get a week ; that ’ s barely enough time for some to prepare , let alone wrap their heads around it all .”
The mission of Pankind is to triple the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2030 and dramatically improve the quality of life for those impacted by the disease . So far some of the milestones achieved by the foundation include the investment of $ 11 million into pancreatic cancer research , becoming the lead funder of strategic , early detection research projects , uniting over 30,000 Australians on national walks and continuing to drive the important agenda and raising awareness of the disease worldwide .
“ Pankind are doing great things in hoping to one day increase survival rates and the quality of life for those impacted ,” Healey adds .
“ It ’ s too late for my family but it ’ s not for another . Early detection is key , I want people to know the signs .
“ My dad was my number one supporter . I am his number one supporter and want to raise much needed funds to help support this cause .
“ I was lucky enough to get 21 years with my dad but if another family can get more , that ’ ll be the greatest achievement of all .”
Pankind continues to run multiple widespread events to continue to raise awareness for this vital cause . Remember September is a way to honour someone lost to pancreatic cancer or stand with people fighting the disease . The Sydney Running Festival takes place on September 18 where you can run for pancreatic cancer .
Barrier Rise with
TONY BRASSEL
TALBRAGAR is out of the astute Cody Morgan yard at Tamworth and showed he is on track to continue his unbeaten form ( two outings ) with an impressive 1000m trial win on a heavy track at Scone on August 15 . Big and strong Snitzel gelding with a stack of ability .
ANETHOLE is another out of the Morgan stable and he couldn ’ t have been more impressive with his strong third behind Talbragar in the Scone trial . Ran 6th in the Country Championship in the autumn and ready to continue with that form .
DAJRAAN is an import out of the Waterhouse-Bott stable and indicated he is ready for a good spring with all the way 1209m trial win at W ’ Farm on August 15 . This bloke has a touch of class .
CONVERGE showed he is back better than ever when third behind Dajraan in
the W ’ Farm trial . Just cruised along until the final 150m when given a bit more rein and really powerfully hit the line .
FALEX is an unraced colt out of the powerful Maher- Eustace yard and there was a lot to like about his speed and powerful finish in winning 1209m trial at W ’ Farm on August 15 .
IN THE CONGO and RUBINOCCHI finished first and third respectively in a 813m trial at W ’ Farm on August 15 . The winner showed his usual speed and held on strongly while the third placegetter was never pushed along at any stage . CHOPIN was never off the bit in finishing third in fast-run W ’ Farm 809m trial on August 15 . Exceed and Excel colt is an impressive type back in town after failing on bog track at Caulfield on July 23 .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 148 // SEPTEMBER 2022 37