WHEN 19-year-old Lysterfield resident Rebecca Jago died of kidney cancer in 2011, her friends vowed to keep her memory alive.
They formed Bec’s Troops, signed up for the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) and raised more than $50,000 in Bec’s honour.
Their tireless efforts and inspiring dedication has earned them the title of this years the Berwick News ‘People of the Year 2012’
Bec’s cousin and neighbour Melissa ‘Liss’ Ramsden was the driving factor behind the group, recruiting friends and family who participated or volunteered in the 2012 Ride to Conquer Cancer. They were required to raise $2500 each to participate in the ride, but far exceeded their expectations.
“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,” Liss said.
Liss said she promised Bec she would never forget her and worked persistently with her troop to ensure Bec’s memory lives on.
They 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.
Liss said she was proud of Bec’s Troops and the work they were doing for Peter Mac. She added, 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.”
Whilst Bec’s Troops only intended to participate in the event this year, they were so pleased with the end result it has motivated them to sign up again for this year’s ride.
“It’s been a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” Liss 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.
To donate to the team, visit www.conquercancer.org.au and search for Bec’s troops.
