Aidan Curtis
A PORT MacDonnell woman is using colourful clothing to raise awareness of ovarian cancer as part of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s month-long fundraiser, Frocktober.
Sue-Ellen Downie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer around 12 months ago, facing many ups and downs on her journey in fighting the disease.
“I cried, but it didn’t hit,” she said.
“It was an out of body experience and like somebody else had got it, so I just plodded along.
“I went down to Adelaide and had a renal test, and I came back in a lot of pain, then suddenly it hit and I was just a mess.”
After donating to a friend’s Frocktober campaign for some time, Ms Downie’s diagnosis pushed her to take a more active role in raising ovarian cancer awareness with a campaign of her own.
Frocktober encourages participants to don a frock as often as they can throughout October to spark conversations around cancer and raise some funds where possible.
Ms Downie said reminding herself of the best time of her life by wearing “hippie style” frocks does the job while putting a smile on her face.
She said she has been getting out and about in the Limestone Coast and has seen a generally positive response from the people she has spoken to.
“The odd one or two [have been negative], but otherwise I’ve had a really good response,” she said.
“People embrace it, people want to talk about it and, who knows, they could be the next person because one in eight people get diagnosed with it.”
Ms Downie said the most important thing she has been doing has been telling people about ovarian cancer and some of the symptoms.
“Just getting the awareness out, I think is the important thing,” she said.
“We talk about breast cancer and other things, but people don’t know enough about ovarian cancer.
“It’s a killer and if you survive five years, you’re doing well and that’s me, I’m going to do that.”
She said her family has been instrumental in keeping her going, and she wants to keep fighting for those closest to her.
“My first lot of treatment, the chemo side of it was awful and I was ready to chuck in the towel a couple of times there,” she said.
“It was family that kept me going.
“Sometimes I’m ok because I only have one dose instead of three, and other times I’m feeling sorry for myself – and I reckon I can – but the best thing to do is go to bed, forget about it for the day, start again tomorrow.”
Ms Downie said anyone starting their own ovarian cancer journey should remember to stay positive where possible and reach out to people in their lives.
“That is the main thing, I think, is don’t block people out of your life,” she said.
“It’s hard, it’s a hard journey, but you can do it.”
