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Allanah's story

 

In the June of 1995, newly married primary school teacher Allanah was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease - a deadly form of cancer that affects our bodies main defence against infection, our lymphatic system. So began for Allanah the long, frightening and difficult journey to recovery. She endured an awful lot of discomfort in her battle to rid her body of cancer. And sadly her distress did not end when she was finally freed from the disease:

 

"You just think when you're a woman that once you decide to have children, it'll happen. That's how it's supposed to be. So when I found out that my cancer treatment had cost me my fertility, I was totally devastated. It just seemed so cruel and unfair - my heart was broken."

 

The wonderful news is that, thanks to her sister's donated eggs, Allanah was still able to start a family. What's more, her body has been free of cancer for 12 years now. A proud mother of beautiful twin girls, Allanah has had the precious chance to enjoy what so many young people diagnosed with cancer never get to experience - growing older and watching your children blossom into adulthood.

 

The months and years following her diagnosis of Hodgkin's Disease were among the most difficult, not just in Allanah's life, but in her family's lives too. But with the help of expert medical care and the support of The Cancer Council Helpline, together they found their way through.

 

 

The money that you help raise through Australia's Biggest Morning Tea will help fund vital cancer research projects and offer essential support, advice and information to people like Allanah and her Mum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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