Over 200 Mornington Peninsula women are set to walk the streets this weekend as part of the fourth annual Wonder Woman Walk to support ovarian cancer research.
Started by Peninsula local Helen Powell, the walk has raised over $26,000 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), with 2018 alone raising nearly $15,000.
Ovarian cancer is estimated to be the tenth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women in 2019, with 1,510 new cases estimated to be diagnosed.
Walkers will venture along the beautiful coastline of the Mornington Peninsula from the Safety Beach Sailing Club to Hotel Sorrento, a distance of close to 30 kilometres.
Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, congratulated the walkers on their efforts to support a local and a friend.
“Events like this show the true spirit of the Mornington Peninsula,” Minister Hunt said. “Three years ago, six locals decided to walk from Safety Beach to Sorrento to raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and for a friend. Now, hundreds of women from across the Peninsula join with them to raise funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research.”
“The Morrison Government is committed to assisting research like that done by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, including the development of a complete understanding of the risk factors for ovarian cancer.”
Mrs Powell said she was overwhelmed by the support received from the community for this year’s walk.
“To think this started four years ago with six of my friends and is now an event of over 200 participants blows me away,” Mrs Powell said.
“My hope is that the walk will bring awareness to the OCRF and ovarian cancer research. When I was diagnosed six years ago I was really shocked, even as a nurse, to know that I was one of many who was diagnosed at such a late stage of the disease. I had no symptoms indicating that a cancer had spread so badly.”
“The research needs to happen to find an early detection test. That is what will save lives. I know working for a university that research can start and sometimes you can nearly get there with your project and then the funding dries up and the project has to stop. You may be close to a breakthrough but if you don’t have the funds you can’t continue so this is why ongoing funding is crucial.”
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday and spending the morning with my family, friends and the local community all in the name of a very important cause. As my immediate family are all boys they won’t be walking but will be the support crew!”
Anne-Marie Corboy from the OCRF congratulated Helen and the local community for their work to support ovarian cancer research.
“We are thrilled to see the community support Helen through the Wonder Women Walk, raising awareness for research into ovarian cancer,” Mrs Corboy said.
“Helen has been a much loved Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) Ambassador for the past five years, sharing her story throughout her illness to advocate and raise funds for research into this insidious disease.”
“It’s only by funding research that we will improve treatment options and find a reliable method to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages and save women’s lives. Viable research is the answer and early detection is the key.”
“Ovarian cancer is a silent disease that causes so much heartache to women like Helen and their loved ones. We see the walk as a really positive way for the community to come together to both raise awareness and funds. This means women in the future will be given much more extensive treatment options than Helen has had.”
Those wishing to donate to the cause can visit: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/211646/wonder-woman-walkers-2019?fbclid=IwAR00ujKew4MVheF5Arum0ZAegcqKgmTe1xhqPN7tJygOSY_3Kw5asVzf4eE