Donna Barrun

I’m walking to claim victory over cancer, for my dear friend Meldy and for a cancer-free future

In 2 weeks' time I will have my radioactive iodine ablation following my thyroidectomy completion surgery done in July. With this procedure, my doctors are hoping to kill the remaining thyroid and cancer cells in my body and to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence from a very high recurrence rate of papillary thyroid cancer from 20% to just 4%.

On Sunday, 20 Oct will be my freedom day from 4 days of  isolation after my radiation treatment, and with faith in my heart, I claim that it will also be my freedom day from this dreadful disease. To celebrate this milestone and to continue the cause that I have been supporting for years now together with my dear friend Meldy, I’m taking on the 7 Bridges Walk alongside my family and some friends who have stood beside me on my journey.  We will be uniting with the community to walk 28km around Sydney Harbour. 

My dear friend Meldy has survived stage 4 colon cancer 15 years ago but was recently haunted again by cancer, diagnosed with an aggressive type.  She has just undergone a major surgery 2 weeks ago involving 4 other organs and is now on the road to full recovery.

Every year in NSW alone, more than 53,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed and the impact on families, carers and communities is significant. 

Meldy and I have witnessed and have benefitted from the great work that Cancer Council have been doing for everyone impacted. Please continue to support our cause for a cancer-free community.

Every dollar counts. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!!