SAMANTHA Slade was a regular mum of three, wife, working as a fitness trainer and breast-feeding her youngest child.
Then she found a lump in August 2009.
She underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation and has discovered a passion for helping others.
Now, Samantha Slade is a regular mum of three, wife and working in youth justice and as a fitness trainer.
“I had to have radiation in Townsville and I had to take my two-year-old with me because my husband was up here with our two older children so you can imagine how challenging that was,” Ms Slade said.
“These days women in Cairns can have that treatment here so the region has come a long way in its health services provision,” she said.
She has thrown her support behind cancer fundraising event, the Trinity Powersports Sea-Fari – a jetski-powered island hop from Yorkeys Knob to Port Douglas on Australia Day.
Since inception, the event has raised more than $140, 000 for cancer services and organisers this year hope to raise more than $50, 000.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe said the event had grown in popularity and donations.
“We have an awesome Sea-Doo jetski that will be raffled just before the event and participants are already out there fundraising because they know this is a health concern that will affect most of us in some way, during our lifetime,” Ms Duncombe said.
According to the Cancer Council Queensland, 1379 people are diagnosed with cancer in Far North Queensland each year, and 461 people in the region die from cancer each year.
To participate, buy a raffle ticket or donate, visit Seafari.
Photo: Samantha Slade and daughter Phoebe check out the fun of a jetski at Tobruk Pool, where Sam has been a personal trainer.
