Six of Bec’s Troops Rachel Cowan, Courtney Jones, Karina Doig, Melissa Ramsden, Molly Conroy and Natalie Cousins. 88557 Picture: Donna Oates
By LIA SPENCER
A YEAR after Rebecca ‘Bec’ Jago died from cancer, her friends vow to keep her memory alive has since raised more than $50,000 in her honour.
Lysterfield resident Bec, was 19 when she died in October after a five-year battle with kidney cancer.
Her cousin and neighbour Melissa ‘Liss’ Ramsden spoke to the News last year shortly after she and a group of 18 friends had formed Bec’s Troops.
This month Bec’ s Troop will take part in the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer.
The main troop will cycle 200km from Melbourne through the Yarra Valley while five of the troop will give their service as volunteers for the ride, all benefiting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), where Bec had her treatment.
As part of the Ride to Conquer Cancer they were each required to raise $2500, but have far exceeded their expectations.
“So far we have raised $50,000 and should still get about seven to eight thousand dollars more,” Ms Ramsden said.
“When we first started out we just wanted to scrounge up the $2500 each, but the support has been amazing and so-many people want to get involved,” she said.
Ms Ramsden said she promised Bec she would never forget her and has been working tirelessly with her troop to ensure Bec’s memory lives on.
They have held several trivia nights, a drag queen pageant, sausage sizzles, an amazing race around the city and they also created a pin-up calendar which is for sale to the public. With less-than two weeks to go until the big ride, the team is now concentrating on their training.
Ms Ramsden said she was proud of Bec’s Troops and the work they were doing for Peter Mac.
She said Bec was constantly in and out of Peter Mac, and the staff there did a wonderful job caring for her both mentally and physically.
Liss said that 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 adolescent’s 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 than 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 young 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 would continue to carry on fundraising efforts event when the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer is over.
“It’s been a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” Ms Ramsden said.
“We will continue to do more fundraising next year… we will always be Bec’s troops.”
Anyone wanting information about the calendar can visit www.facebook.com/becstroops and to donate to the team, visit www.conquercancer.org.au and search for Bec’s Troops.
