“A future without cancer would be marvellous because you go through hell while you’re with someone with cancer,” said Win who knows the pain of losing a loved one to cancer all too well.
When her daughter, Natalie, died from breast cancer at just 28, it profoundly changed Win. She has since been driven by her mission to honour the memory of her daughter while raising awareness and support for cancer research – hosting Biggest Morning Teas, volunteering for Daffodil Day and so much more.
“This has been a new way of life for me,” said Win.
“Over the years, with my friends, it’s been amazing what they’ve done. Every year a lot of them just remember Natalie. It reminds us that she was a special person, and we want to help other people and provide a cure, so others don’t have to go through what we went through.”
Win and Natalie
When Natalie was first diagnosed with breast cancer, the family were quickly introduced to what it means to be on a cancer journey, from the specialists treating Natalie to the “wonderful” nurses supporting her, and the many friends who came by Win’s side during the hardest days.
“It was a real shock when our daughter was diagnosed with cancer. We knew that there was something wrong with her, she wasn’t feeling a hundred per cent and it was very hard to get it diagnosed,” said Win.
When a mammogram showed nothing, a biopsy eventually confirmed a diagnosis. But cancer treatment wasn’t as effective then as it is today and the challenges in getting an early diagnosis, especially in younger people, meant Natalie never even reached her 30th birthday.
“It was such a tragedy to lose a wonderful, caring daughter who enjoyed life, at such a young age,” said Win.
Win left a gift in her Will to Cancer Council
Supporting the work of Cancer Council Victoria was Win’s outlet and a way to honour her daughter while contributing to improving treatment and outcomes for other young women, like Natalie. So, it was a logical choice for Win to leave a gift in her Will as well.
“I hope that my gift will help achieve a better recovery rate from cancer. I’m hearing from people I know that are getting diagnosed with cancer, the treatment has changed from 25 years ago, and I’m hopeful that it will improve even more from now on,” shared Win.
“I thought my son won’t mind he doesn’t get his full inheritance. He won’t mind if some of it goes to cancer research, because it affected him as well.”
Thinking of her grandchildren, Win was also concerned that Natalie’s cancer may be hereditary, so she’s conscious of safeguarding the future for her loved ones. “We’re just hoping that they’ll have a cancer-free future and if they do get cancer, we know that there’ll be some treatment there for them.”
Join Win in leaving a lasting legacy
Imagine a future where more cancers are preventable, every diagnosis is treatable, and anyone can live to hear the words, “You’re cancer free.”
Learn more about the impact you can have by joining Win and other like-minded supporters in leaving a gift in your Will by contacting our team at giftsinwills@cancervic.org.au or clicking the button below.
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