Cancer battle

By Lia Bichel
WHEN Rebecca Jago died from a five-year battle with cancer last year, her friends joined forces in her memory to conquer a battle of their own.
Lysterfield resident Bec was 19 when she died of kidney cancer in October.
Her cousin and neighbour Melissa ‘Liss’ Ramsden and a “troop” of 14 other friends will cycle 200km from Melbourne through the Yarra Valley in the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), where Bec had her treatment.
They are required to raise $2500, or $37,500 as a team. So far, ‘Bec’s troops’ have raised $5500, making them the ninth top fundraisers out of about 200 teams.
“Bec was constantly in and out of Peter Mac – meaning I was also constantly in and out visiting her,” Liss said.
“I was able to see first hand the fantastic work Peter Mac does for patients everywhere – as well as the huge amount of care and support they offer families and relatives.
“Peter Mac did a wonderful job caring for Bec both mentally and physically, both in her last weeks and throughout the five years she suffered.”
Liss said Bec not only fought to stay healthy and positive, she also worked tirelessly to raise money for Peter Mac On Trac – a team dedicated to supporting young adolescents battling cancer.
“During Bec’s many trips to Peter Mac, she always spoke of how there was no space for her to sit and relax with people her own age – instead she was placed in rooms with patients 20 to 30 years older then her,” Liss said.
“With dedication and through many fundraisers, Bec was able to come up with enough money for On Trac to build a break out room where teenagers and adults facing cancer could go to spend time, just hanging out and relaxing, playing games and chatting to others going through the same thing as them.”
Liss said her troop of girls, mostly aged 19 and 20, with the exception of Bec’s godmother, would carry on Bec’s great work by coming up with their own fundraisers for the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer.
They have a range of events, including trivia nights, sausage sizzles at Bunnings, chocolate sales, Amazing Race events, a Drag Queen Pageant and a calendar shoot, which they shot their first month photo at Tooradin Airfield this week.
“None of us are that fit and we have to train, but we are doing this to keep her memory alive,” Liss said.
“Seeing my dear friend on her death bed was something that shocked me to the core and something that has now allowed me to see my life, and the way I live, a lot more clearly.
“She was someone I loved with all my heart and soul, she was one brave girl who taught everyone she knew to live life to the absolute fullest and to not take anything or any day you’re given for granted.”
Anyone wanting information about the calendar can email Liss at melissa_ramsden1@hotmail. com
For information on fundraising events, visit www.facebook. com/becstroops and to donate to the team, visit www.conquercancer.org.au and search for Bec’s troops.