Event co-ordinator Jill Maude, ambassador Vicki Scott, GV Health Foundation director Claire Ewart-Kennedy and Graham Hill Eyecare director Mark DePaola.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
STORY: ANNA MCGUINNESS. PHOTOGRAPHY: RECHELLE ZAMMIT
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A Pink Ribbon event will mix fun, fashion and flair with fundraising for cancer care in the Goulburn Valley this month. And for some of those involved in organising the event, it’s personal.
Vicki Scott knows just how important quality cancer care close to home is, after she received the news no-one wants to hear.
After noticing something wasn’t quite right, Vicki was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March, with tests uncovering it had spread to her liver and was stage 4.
Vicki has been able to have her chemotherapy and radiation treatments in Shepparton, only needing to travel to Melbourne for liver surgery and a bowel resection.
“When I did my radiation, it was 25 days, every day and you’re only on that bed for about 10 minutes,” she said.
“So, if you had to travel a long distance to have that, whereas I was able to work it around my job and everyday life.”
Vicki is the ambassador for the upcoming Pink Ribbon Sunglasses Expo in October.
The expo, by Graham Hill Eyecare in Shepparton, will feature more than 500 pairs of sunglasses from high-end brands to everyday wear, raising money for the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre through the Goulburn Valley Health Foundation.
Graham Hill Eyecare director Mark DePaola was motivated to organise an event under the Pink Ribbon banner after the Biggest Blokes Lunch in August.
The annual Pink Ribbon event in Shepparton has been on hold due to COVID-19 and the GV Health Foundation hopes to take the event on from 2023.
“In the meantime we’re excited to do our part to keep the event going and make sure as an organisation we show our appreciation to GV Health and the Peter Copulos Centre,” Mark said.
“Like hundreds of others, our family has had first-hand experience of discovering how valuable it is to have a local treatment facility with the associated care and professionalism of the people there.
The sunglasses expo at Graham Hill Eyecare will feature the biggest range of sunnies on offer in Shepparton since 2019.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“We’re hoping to bring some joy into springtime with some flair and fashion — and utilise that energy for a great cause.”
Vicki bought her very first pair of glasses at Graham Hill Eyecare when she was 15 and has been a customer ever since.
“When [Mark] reached out and talked about doing something where the funds would go back to the Peter Copulos Centre, I was extremely supportive of that,” she said.
“I would feel quite lost without having that centre here in our community, so I’m more than happy to be supporting the initiative to promote what a great facility we have in our own backyard.”
As well as the support from “a really great circle of family and friends”, Vicki appreciated the holistic approach to her care.
“When you go in for your treatment they’re very conscious of all that other stuff that’s going on,” she said.
“There’s been support around mental health, diet, there’s support around financial assistance or if you just need someone to talk to.”
Everything to date has been successful for Vicki, with further chemotherapy this year before ongoing monitoring, with an important five years ahead.
Age is the biggest risk factor for bowel cancer, which is why even healthy people with no symptoms are sent a screening test between the ages of 50 and 74.
Vicki was only a few weeks off her 50th birthday when she noticed something wasn’t normal.
She said there shouldn’t be any stigma around getting anything out of the ordinary investigated and encouraged people do so if they notice something isn’t right.
Every dollar spent on sunglasses during the expo will be donated to support the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre.
Director Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the Goulburn Valley Health Foundation was grateful to have strong community ambassadors such as Graham Hill Eyecare.
“Monies raised directly benefit our community and support the important work GV Health is doing to ensure residents of our region receive the best possible care,” she said.
“It is testament to the generosity and passion in our community that businesses and individuals are always prepared to stand up and do what they can to maximise the fundraising opportunities.”
The sunglasses expo is being held at Graham Hill Eyecare at 98 Maude St, Shepparton on Thursday, November 24 from 10am to 7pm.
There will be a 20 per cent discount on sunglasses with national representatives from Gucci, YSL, Oroton, Tom Ford, Le Specs and Guess on hand to showcase their range.
The event will feature products Mark said wouldn’t make it outside of Melbourne otherwise.
A coffee van will be onsite with bubbles from 5pm, and while there is a focus on women’s fashion, everyone is welcome.
People who require prescription sunglasses are encouraged to book an appointment prior to the event so their prescription is ready.
The GV Health Foundation is currently looking at a schedule of fundraising events and partnerships, so anyone whose business may be able to assist or has any ideas is asked to contact Claire at claire.ewart-kennedy@gvhealth.org.au or go to the Facebook page.
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