‘FROCK-UP FRIDAYS’: VALENHOLD SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER

Frock-Up Friday’s to support the fight against Ovarian Cancer

Loretta Newton here, Valenhold‘s People & Culture Manager, taking over the blog today to share a story. 

In early 2021, my 41-year-old sister Mégan became ill, complaining of bloating and tiredness. Unexpectedly, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. She went into hospital, expecting to start chemo, and was told instead that she was terminal and only had one week to live. In June 2021 she passed away, leaving behind her 7-year-old son, a loving husband and a devastated family. 

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynaecological cancer, with one Australian women dying every 8 hours from ovarian cancer, affecting over 1,400 Australian women every year. The lack of early detection techniques for ovarian cancer is one of its major problems. Currently, a biopsy performed during surgery is the only way to confirm a diagnosis. As a result, many women receive their cancer diagnosis after it has already spread, which drastically reduces their odds of surviving. With treatments for ovarian cancer not having changed in over 30 years, just 29% of women who receive a late diagnosis will make it past five years. The significance of early detection is shown by the over 90% survival rate for women detected at Stage 1.   

One in two Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85 – which means either yourself or someone you love will be touched by some hideous form of cancer in your lifetime. I know there are many more stories than mine, in my workplace and in yours. 

I also know I’m not smart enough to prevent or cure cancer, but there are people out there that are. So, in honour of my sister Mégan and February being Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, the Valenhold team has chosen to raise funds for a very worthy cause. 

To help fundraise, we’ve kicking off the ‘Frock-up Fridays‘ initiative, where our team will be showing their support by donning a frock or something loud and bright to a specific theme, every Friday of this month. 

More importantly, all funds will go towards Love Your Sister, an organisation that supports precision treatment for ALL cancer patients, regardless of location, income, or status. Every dollar donated goes directly towards funding scientific research, ensuring your contributions directly impact those affected by cancer.   

To learn more about the Love Your Sister organization and its mission, please visit https://www.loveyoursister.org/ . Help us raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer this February by making a donation today: https://www.mycause.com.au/p/303325/valenhold-frock-up-february