A capacity crowd of 250 people helped the Hedland Well Women’s Centre raise a record $115,000 at this year’s Pink Pilbara Breakfast, funds that will go directly to providing a range of much-needed community services.
Those present heard from Port Hedland resident Ashlee Hasson, a 31-year-old mother of three who detailed her cancer journey after being diagnosed last year.
Ashlee faced extra challenges of regular trips to Perth for treatment, leaving her family during more than 50 journeys.
She said the services provided by the centre lightened the load on her and her family and made each journey a little less stressful.
There were also insights from advocacy worker Sharon Knapp and cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist Hannah Boyle on the services they provide and the importance of the centre.
The centre established an in-house cancer support service in 2020.
ABC radio broadcast from the event, with Well Women’s Centre Chief Executive Officer Kianna Barker telling presenter Kelly Gudgeon that one of the challenges of living in regional areas was access to cancer support services.
“The more we can support our community to have those services close to home the better,” she said.
The Pink Pilbara Breakfast, now in its 17th year, is the centre’s main fundraising activity. It was supported by a range of corporate sponsors including many PHIC members.
Money raised this year from sponsorships, donations and other fundraising efforts will support the continuation of the Hedland Well Women’s Centre Cancer Support Service and new and existing services, events and programs that aim to prevent women’s cancers including lifesaving screening and health checks.