Each year hundreds of Illawarra mums ditch breakfast in bed to take part in the Mother’s Day Classic.
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Now in its 15th year, organisers of the Wollongong event are hoping to see more than 3000 people take to the track along the foreshore on Sunday.
Dr Margaret Gardiner is the Illawarra ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and helped establish the Wollongong event.
First diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Dr Gardiner is still battling the disease after secondary cancer was discovered in her lung and bones five years ago.
However she said many more options were now available for women like her, thanks to fundraising events like the fun run.
‘’We’ve raised in excess of $80,000 over the years and 100 per cent of that has gone to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to fund research,’’ she said.
‘’Thanks to research such as this there have been major achievements and advancements in the last 15 years.
‘’We now understand the genetic code of breast cancer – the 93 genes involved in changing a normal breast cell into a breast cancer cell.
‘’We have more understanding of prevention – such as diet, exercise and anti-oestrogen drugs for those in high-risk groups.
‘’And treatment options have dramatically changed since I had my first round of treatment in 2000.’’
Dr Gardiner and ‘’superhero’’ supporters joined together at Flagstaff Hill on Thursday to encourage more Illawarra residents to join in and support the cause.
‘’This year I’ll be dedicating the day to a sweet friend who’s about to start another round of aggressive chemotherapy,’’ she said.
‘’The theme of our event has always been ‘strength not surrender’ and I know the thousands of people we attract give such courage to people like myself and my friend who are still going through it.’’
The event will kick off at Stuart Park at 9am, with registrations on the day from 7.30am to 8.30am.
Entrants can choose to run or walk a 5km or 2km course. Details: www.mothersdayclassic.com.au