Connie's Diary: Flying Business Class to surprise Sam

The flight over to Perth was awesome! I got to fly business class and they had these pods to sit in. The chairs extend and you can lie flat, and the chairs have an inbuilt massager! I had a big sleep and when I woke up there was a cupcake beside me! How delightful. I can see why people fly business class now; I have always thought, why would you spend all that extra money, when the flight will be over, you get off and forget about it? Now I get it, you get to be comfortable, spread out, sleep and eat at your leisure.

After this flight I am ready to surprise Sam, I wonder how he will react when he sees me?

Connie's Diary: Preparing for the big surprise

After Darwin, I wasn’t sure that I would make it to Perth, but the whole time I have been hoping that I would make it. I couldn’t commit, because I never know how I will be feeling in advance, but when ‘The Project’ offered to fly me over for a surprise visit to Sam I was so excited.

I have had to keep it a secret from Sam, which has felt cruel. Every time he asked if I was coming to Perth I had to say that I wasn’t feeling strong enough and it wasn’t looking good. It felt absolutely awful lying to him, but I really wanted to surprise him in Perth. The plan was that Carrie would go over to Perth, and ride into Perth with Sam (on a 2 wheeler) then she would present me as a surprise once they got there. When Sam heard that Carrie would be joining him on the road he rang me up and said “Con, you have to come to Perth now, Carrie Bickmore is coming and riding with me, you have to come, you can’t miss this!”

I felt like such a phoney when I said that I would love to, but I just can’t, the kids need me and Mike has exams, so I really can’t come, plus I just don’t know if I am up to travelling at the moment. Samuel was so excited that it felt awful to fib to him, but the surprise should be worth it.

Connie's Diary: Hammy Star Wars Party

Hammy was invited to a Star Wars birthday party recently. He has never seen Star Wars (neither have I), but he has books, and they talk about it at school, so he knows all the characters, and seems to love it. He chose to dress up as Anniken as a child, as he had seen in a book, which was perfect, because he has the same hair as the little boys who plays the part in the movie, and looks quite like him.

When I went to buy the fabric to make his costume, he innocently asked me if I had bought the material in the Star Wars section of the shop. How cute is that? I love that he thinks there would be a section just for Star Wars material in the fabric shop!

Anyway, here he is, dressed up as little Anniken, and next to him, is a picture of little Anniken from the movie. Spot the difference!

Connie's Diary: Visiting Hammy’s Class

Last year, in the times when I was feeling ok, I went to Willoughby’s class and helped out one afternoon per week. I assisted with reading, craft, and crowd control, which is what school is like sometimes. I really enjoyed seeing Willoughby in his classroom, with all of the children he talks about at home. It was also great to get to know the other children in his class and just being involved helped lift my spirits and give me something to look forward to each week.

Love Your Sister has been taking up most of my spare time and energy this year, so I haven’t been able to do the same thing for Hamilton in his first year of school, but lately, since I have been having a chemo break and feeling a little more energised, I have been able to get back to the school to help out. It is really great being back, and doing this year, what I did with Willoughby last year.

It is really great to see Hamilton at school, and get to know his friends and classmates. I just love being in the classroom, I think if I had my time again I would study teaching and become a teacher, perhaps in a special needs environment, to incorporate my love for the disability field. I really do love the classroom and helping young students with the reading and activities. It is so amazing to watch them grow up in that first year of school; they make a huge transformation from being pre-schoolers to being big school kids by the end of the first year. It is incredible. I hope that my health stays strong and that I can continue to go and help in the class as I really enjoy and so does Hammy.

Connie's Diary: First Time Recognised

Some of my friends have been saying that I am famous now, and I really don’t think that I am, and I certainly don’t feel like it. Walking down the corridor in the hospital I hear, “Is that you Connie?” and I turn around expecting to see one of my nurses or doctors, but it is someone I have never seen before and she says, “I recognised you from the TV, you’re brother is riding his unicycle around the country isn’t he?” I was quite shocked; she knew my name, recognised my face and knew all about Love Your Sister. I guess we are getting our message out there if people I don’t know know about us! How bizarre?

LOVE YOUR WALPOLE WILDERNESS

Since the very beginning of LYS, when Connie and I decided that we’d combine our challenge system with her own personal bucket-list, Connie was adamant that I experience the tree top walk in the Walpole Wilderness on her behalf. It’s a series of boardwalks strung 40 metres above ground, snaking through the tops of the beautiful Tingle Tree Forrest. These are no ordinary trees - they tower higher than any other trees I’ve seen before, reminiscent of The Magic Faraway Tree. The trees there are so tall and majestic; it felt unreal. So it was with mixed feelings that I embarked upon her challenge - to ride through the tree tops atop my one-wheeler. It felt wrong that she wasn’t there, but at the same time it was impossible not to appreciate the majesty of the place. I recorded this little vid to try and help capture the experience. A great reward really, for enduring the most challenging undulations of the trip thus far. Sorry to rub it in sis!

Connie's Diary: Missing Sam

Spoke to Sam on the phone after all was said and done in Melbourne. It was great to have so much news for him, about Mornington Secondary College, The Sisterhood Cocktail Party and meeting Sophie Weston. Love Your Sister unites us in so many ways, because we are working on the same project, but ironically is also separates us, and sometimes I miss him so much.

It’s not just missing him that is hard sometimes, though, it is also that I feel like he is able to experience all the things we planned together, while I am back at home, having to stay close to a hospital. I have missed out on Uluru and the Ord River, which have been the hardest, as they are things I really wanted to do in my lifetime, but also things we talked so much about while we were planning this massive adventure.

Sam said on the phone that he thinks of me every day and sometimes he feels like he has told me things, that he hasn’t because he is telling people he meets along the way instead. So he took this opportunity to tell me these things he tells people on the road. That he thinks of me every time it gets hard to pedal. That he hates that there is no cure for my cancer and that it makes him mad as hell. He feels helpless, and realises from time to time that no matter how far he rides, how much money we raise or how much awareness we spread, my cancer will still not go away, it will still kill me, and that makes him feel very empty inside. But on the upside, we are doing something, at least we are trying to make a difference, and we are doing it while I am still well enough to enjoy, and follow what is happening.

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Connie's Diary: St Margarets College Berwick: Sophie Weston

One day a couple of months ago, Em (behind the scenes manager) told me about a year 12 Student who had ridden from Canberra to Melbourne on a two wheeled bike to raise money for Love Your Sister. I was amazed that such a young person would be so dedicated to the community and to helping others that she could a: organise such an event, and b: ride that distance.

The school requested that we send a representative from Love Your Sister to pick up the cheque. I was so impressed by this students efforts that I wanted to go personally, to meet this amazing young women, see the school she represents and accept the cheque on behalf of Love Your Sister.

I am so glad I went personally. Meeting Sophie Weston was an incredible experience. People often tell me that they think I am inspirational, but to me, all the people who do things to help Love Your Sister are inspiring, and Sophie Weston is an outstanding example of what people can do when they put their mind to something.

Before we went we didn’t know how much money the school and Sophie had raised. We arrived at the school for a special assembly for the presentation of the cheque. I think there were about 300 students there and we watched a short video presentation then we heard from the principal, from Sophie and I did a speech before the a group of year 12’s sang a delightful song about celebrating who you are, and loving what makes you different from the others.

 

During the biggest year of her schooling life, Sophie sacrificed her school holidays to ride about 700km from Canberra to Melbourne. Her parents, Sue and Gary are right behind her, inspiring her, assisting her and allowing her to flourish. Her sister was her main support, riding some of the distance with her. Her relationship with her sister was a lovely touch to this incredible achievement.

The Social committee at St Margarets worked together to raise around $1500 and together with funds raised by Sophie on her bike riding adventure, they raised $7020.80! What an achievement, Sophie you are amazing, and you shine brightly and give older people in Australia a lot to look forward to. You have shown remarkable initiative, dedication, leadership and empathy. I look forward to seeing what you achieve as you get older, you are definitely someone who could take on the world, and win.

Another bonus about going to St Margarets was that I got to see my gorgeous cousin Zoe, it was great to see you, a lovely surprise, I hadn’t realised it was your school I was visiting Zoe.

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Connie's Diary: Sisterhood Cocktail Party

Preparation for Cocktail party

The whole team at Envy Boutique Hair Spa in Frankston got behind Love Your Sister while we were in town for the cocktail party. When we arrived we saw Love Your Sister posters all over the salon and Nicole and Alanah kindly did our hair for the cocktail party. It was a luxurious experience to prepare for the cocktail party, and got me feeling in the mood for a big night on the town. I was feeling so nervous about going to the event, as Sam wasn’t going to be there, it is an all-girls night, and it is all about me. Having my hair done nicely helped me feel confident about being the centre of attention.

How cute are the tickets for the cocktail party?

 

Sisterhood

A group of 3 women in Mornington, who named themselves The Sisterhood, began planning huge cocktail party back in February. It was to be an event in honour of little old me, for women to get together and raise money for and awareness of breast cancer whilst having a great night out. Susan, Lizzie and Lauren have done an amazing job organising this fun fundraiser.

Lizzie, Lauren, Susan, Connie

I always have trouble committing to going to events as I am never sure in advance if I will be well enough on the day to attend, so this was organised on the premise that I would come if I could, but that it would be a great night regardless, and it really was.

One of the great things about the night was that everyone was given a Sisterhood T-shirt as part of the ticket price, so we were all wearing the same thing and it brought us closer, broke down barriers and allowed people to meet so much easier. Great idea Sisterhood!

Soul Trader, a great little 3 piece band had everybody moving and grooving followed by Susan and Stephanie who are very talented and entertaining singers. There were numerous prizes in a raffle and silent auction. There was also a photo booth with lots of pink props for friends to take silly photos of themselves in. The Mornington Yacht Club generously donated the venue and Security was provided free of charge by All Skilled Hospitality Services managed by an old mate from my days in Mornington, Lindsay Hart. Limousine transport was provided by LR Limousines. I felt like a superstar getting driven in a limo, then being greeted by the owners personally and taken to a table for refreshments on arrival, while the ladies were watching video presentations by Carrie Bickmore and Samuel, and I was eating delicious homemade homous with bread so that I wasn’t drinking on an empty stomach. Then I entered the function where 200 women were clapping and cheering. It was quite surreal and I got the feeling that this is what it must have felt like for Samuel when he was on ‘The Secret Life of Us’.

My gorgeous cousins came, and I got to have fun, drink and dance with them. The wonderful Abby got up on a table and danced her little heart out, and Alison wasn’t able to come, but the girls made up for that by making sure she won the pole dancing classes in the silent auction!

Throughout the evening I got to meet so many wonderful people who shared their stories of parenthood, battles with cancer and lost loved ones with me. It was very touching hearing their stories and I got heaps of free hugs.

Little Black Booth donated a photo booth which was so much fun, we all had silly photos taken at some stage during the night. Pink wigs, hats, glasses and props for a pinkalicious photo booth session. At the end of the night I was given an album of all of the photos taken throughout the night, with notes from the people in the photos. It was fun at the time, and I get to remember the evening and everyone I met through this special album with so many lovely messages in it for me, Sam and Love Your Sister.

I did another speech, and this one went a lot better, though I did cry a few times. I was stunned that a room full of women, mostly drinking, chatting and dancing fell dead silent during my speech. They all listened to me talk about my experiences with cancer and what Sam and I are doing to try to make women more breast aware. It really brought it home to me that Love Your Sister is working, we are spreading the word, our message; “don’t fall into the booby trap, be breast aware” is getting out there. People are hearing us. I hope that after tonight at least some of the women who came along will self-examine or go to their doctors for examinations. Just keeping track of your lumps and bumps is a start, then you know if anything changes and can go and get a professional check-up and mammogram and ultrasound if necessary. Most of the women here at the Sisterhood cocktail party are mums, most around my age, our exact demographic, the people who we want to hear our message the loudest. So many people think that Breast Cancer is a disease that affects older women, and I was told myself that I was too young, that my problem was not likely to be cancer because of my age. But since I have been diagnosed I have met and re-met so many younger women with the disease, it is truly frightening. And if I had been more proactive and insisted on testing instead of being content with being told that it wasn’t cancer, maybe my cancer would have been detected early enough for it to be something treatable – not something that would take my life. As angry as I am with the doctors who told me that I had mastitis, I am also angry with myself for not insisting on further tests, for believing them and not pushing for my own health and wellbeing.  So I really hope that the guests tonight went away with that message, don’t fall into the booby trap.

Susan, it was a pleasure to meet you, you have a special energy and vibrancy about you that made it very easy to hang out with you, and I felt somehow like I had known you for ages, even though we only just met. I loved your singing and the bond that you share with your daughter, the beautiful and talented Stephanie is apparent just by looking at you two together.

Lizzie, what a sweetheart you are, you have worked incredibly hard for a long time to bring this event together and your hard work and dedication paid off, it was a tremendous night, best girls night out I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

Lizzie on the right

Lauren, your organisational skills, problem solving and dedication are second to none, what an honour it was to meet you. Please know how much I appreciate all of your ideas, commitment and drive, and the part you played in making tonight the huge success it was.

Lauren and Sue

Together, the Sisterhood raised over $14 500 in one night. This would not have been possible without the generosity of local businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the raffle and services to make the evening the huge fun-raiser that it was.

 Leaving in the limo was the perfect way to end a wonderful evening, and again I felt like I was famous or something, it certainly wasn’t just any other night on the town, and it certainly didn’t finish with a cab ride home, so I felt very special. Thanks to Susan, Lizzie and Lauren for making everything happen tonight. It was magical.

 

Huge Thanks go out to:

• Brazilian butterfly for supplying Lotion and a $50 voucher


• Chicken on Main for donating 2 Dinner Vouchers


• Dawn Clavin for donating 2 Water Colours


• Polelicious for supplying 4 week mini pole dancing classes


• Tuerong Vineyard Estate for giving 6 bottle of Shiraz


• Ultimate Fitness for supplying a 6 month membership


• Party hire for Kids for the Balloon displays


• Intimo for the Lingerie


• Melbourne Tarp Hire for a builders Tarp


• Minzenmay for the Pandora Bracelet


• National Australia Bank for a Donation


• Farrells Bookstore for donating a signed book by Julie Goodwin


• Onde for giving a lovely hamper


• Drew’s Pantry for donating a great hamper


• Rozanne Watts for the beautiful handmade ring


• Race Aviation for donating a joy flight


• Stufflers Party for Kids for giving a Bear Making Party


• Enliven for the gorgeous Lamp


• Words for Friends for the Scrabble Wall Plaque


• Peninsula Surf for vouchers


• Zenyu for donating vouchers


• Fox FM, the Matt and Jo Show


• Officeworks Frankston for supplying the name badges


• Novel Tees for supplying the Tee Shirts


• Mymojo Physiotherapy for donating a wellbeing pack


• Fernwood for giving a 1 month membership

And the major sponsors of the evening, who truly made this night a possibility, and the huge success that it was, we must thank, from the bottom of my heart, Jacobs and Lowe, Barmah Park and The Rocks.

One of the prizes that was auctioned on the night was a Photographic package by The Story Within who is also doing a great prize for me and my family which I am really excited about. They are going to photograph me, Mike and the boys together. Outside playing, walking, running and having fun, but also indoors, reading, and playing quietly, because this is what I spend a lot of my time with the boys doing. I had a look at some of their work, and it was truly beautiful, they captured those moments in families that are so precious, the looks between mother and child, husband and wife, and between the children. If our photo shoot turns out to be even half as good as some of the examples we saw I will be so happy, and it will a gift that the kids will have forever that will help keep the memory of their mum alive, long after I am gone. It is a very thoughtful gift and I am very touched by Sue and Cara by their generous offer to give a package away as an auction item, but also to give another package away for our family. This must be tougher than more than ever because everyone has digital cameras and cameras on their phones, and thinks they can capture the magic. But the difference between a shot taken by my husband or me of the kids, the quality of a photo taken by a professional with the experience that Sue and Cara have is enormous. Thanks Sue and Cara for your kind offer and I look forward to our photo session.

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Connie's Diary: Mornington Secondary College

Mornington Secondary College

Mornington Secondary College is one of the schools Sam and I attended when we were kids. Before Launching Love Your Sister we contacted all of our old schools to see if their current students would like to participate in the launch. Mornington jumped at the chance, they had T-shirts made and they made big pink flags, the 40 member strong drum corps played drums and 350 students attended the launch to cheer Sam on. Their support has been incredible and Sam and I are both interested in seeing how they are going. So it was a privilege for me to attend a special Love Your Sister Assembly at Mornington Secondary College on Friday 24^th May.

The drum corps marched the students into the hall, and then did some drumming and marching around the hall. The choir sang the national anthem and 3 separate bands each played a song each. A solo saxophonist played a song to a funny clip, the aerobics club performed and some of the students and the principal made speeches. Hanging on the wall in the background was a huge banner with big letters spelling out my name in pink that was made by the textiles class. It was incredibly moving to have a whole assembly dedicated to Love Your Sister.

The Students at Mornington Secondary College have pledged to match Sam dollar for kilometre, thereby aiming to raise $15000 throughout the year, while Sam pedals 15 000kms around the country. They have raised over $4600 so far through a swimathon, sausage sizzles and cake stalls. The whole school community is getting behind Sam and Love Your Sister with such enthusiasm.

I saw so many students excelling in drama, public speaking, music and sport. They have worked hard to develop these skills and are proud of their achievements. It gives me great hope for the future that young people are dedicated to their education, keen and interested in the world around them, and are so socially responsible and involved. I am so impressed with everything I saw at Mornington Secondary College.

I did a quick speech, but I was so nervous I didn’t do very well. It was a learning experience for me, I can do better at this next time. I felt a little inadequate next to the amazing students who excelled at public speaking and moved me to tears with their inspirational words and speeches. It was somehow so daunting talking to 1300 students all at once. Sam says he gets nervous every time he does an interview or a speech, and it seems silly because on the outside he appears so confident, but I have seen him psych himself up for it and get into the groove before interviews and speeches, he somehow finds the zone. I have to learn to do that, mental note, ask Sam for tips on how to be confident and not freak out when speaking in public.

Reilly

I got to meet a lot of the students after the assembly. There was lots of emotion, some of the students were crying, which made me emotional. I was talking to the students, asking them how school was, how the fundraising was going and telling them how much I loved the assembly. Then I met Reilly and I asked her if she had been affected by cancer. She told me that she had lost her father to melanoma 2 years ago. My heart fell into my boots, I was so sad for her. She is an amazing young woman, strong and gentle and remembers her father very fondly. It really touched me talking to her about her Dad and her experience with cancer. Although it was painful for her, her strength shone through, and it gave me hope for my kids for the future. If Reilly can cope, and be strong and focused at school and she remembers her dad, then maybe my kids will be OK after I’m gone and they will stay on the rails, and importantly for me, they might remember me. When I was diagnosed Willoughby was 4 (it was his birthday) and Hammy was about to turn 3. Our mum died when I was 4 and Sam was 3 and we have no memories of her. I was so afraid that I would die and they would have no memories of me, just like Sam and I with Mum, but they are growing up now, they are both at school and every day I get to spend with them is another day that we build memories together.

Reilly, you touched my heart and I am inspired by your strength, I am sure your Dad would be incredibly proud of you.

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Connie's Diary: iPhone and iPad Covers

“Print on My” are a little family run business in Queensland that has just started up. They do custom printing onto phone covers and Ipad covers. We have ordered some merchandise from them, and even though they are starting out and cannot really afford to sponsor us, they have been extremely kind in giving us very low prices for our orders.

We have ordered a great range of phone covers that are for sale roadside at the moment and will soon be available to buy on our online shop. Again, I find I am moved by the generosity of a small business, just starting up, finding a way to help us any way they can. And on top of that, they made me some lovely gifts, a personalised cover for my IPad and for my phone as well, with a photo of Sam and me and my name on it. I love them, what lovely gifts, Thanks Alicia.

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Connie's Diary: Winter Uniforms for Sam and the Crew

The winter uniforms for the crew require embroidered patches for the hoodies, jackets, and trackies. The patches we need are the Love Your Sister patches and all the major sponsors, because we want people to be able to see the organisations that are making Love Your Sister possible. We did a bit a of research and found that it is about $10 per patch, and we need over 150 patches, that’s over $1500 we need for the winter uniforms.

We contacted a heap of embroidery companies to ask if any could help us with a reduced rate for the patches. We were absolutely amazed when countrywide embroidery came forward and offered to do all of our embroidery free of charge. Emma and the team at Country wide embroidery have been friendly and very helpful. There is such generosity in our community it really is amazing how people and businesses have come together to support this cause.

Within a matter of days, they had completed the proofs, confirmed the designs and only a week later, we had the patches in the post. Country wide embroidery were so prompt, and professional and produced great looking patches that will make our winter uniforms look really professional.

So, now that I have the patches, I am able to sew them onto the jackets and hoodies for the winter uniforms for the crew. It is a surprise, so I am not telling Sam about them, I will just send them to Perth. He has mentioned how it is getting colder now that they are further south and winter is approaching. I hope they like their uniforms.

My friend Sue came around with her sewing machine and we set about sewing on over a hundred patches to various winter clothing items. We called it the Love Your Sister Stitch-a-thon, and there was much chocolate needed to keep us inspired. We worked into the wee hours of the morning, for several nights, and eventually finished the uniforms. There are heavy jackets, 2 hoodies each and wet weather gear, for all the crew, not just Sam. I am officially all stitched out!

Here is my husband trying on the jackets that the crew will get, I wanted to see how they looked!

Caps and Beanies

Back in Feb I was looking for the perfect Love Your Sister caps, and surprisingly I found it at a servo. I rang the number of head office of the supplier, Aerial (Pacific Optics) and spoke with Jo, at head office who was so helpful. She found the caps I was talking about, on a very bad description from me, and tracked down a few that were left over from the summer season. Unfortunately they weren’t going to be making any more until next summer. A few days later I got a message from Jo, she had managed to find about 60 of the caps in the warehouse and Aerial were willing to donate them free of charge. WE sent them off to country wide, fully expecting to pay for the embroidery, and country wide embroidered them free of charge, so the proceed form these cap sales will be entirely for breast cancer research. More overwhelming generosity, it really is so heart-warming how so many people give in so many different ways, giving what they can, all contributing to the fundraising success of Love Your Sister.

These awesome caps were donated by Pacific Optics and embroidered for free by Countrywide Embroidery.

 

 

T-shirts

Since the beginning of the event we have wanted to make T-shirts to sell. We couldn’t do it straight away because we didn’t have budget to get started. But once we had raised some money, we got permission to spend some of the raised funds on merchandise in the knowledge that we would be spending money to make even more. And there is a lot of demand for Love Your Sister T-shirts, and other merchandise. We get heaps of requests every day about buying T-shrts.

Well, I have finally been able to secure a very competitive deal with Copperhead Screen Printing, who have gone even lower than the next lowest quote, and have included extra colours for the same price. They have also been able to source the same colour pink fabric across all the styles that we want to stock, Men’s Women’s and children’s, and it is the perfect colour for Love Your Sister.

So, I am very excited to announce that the T-shirts have been printed; they are available in a variety of sizes from kid’s size 4 all the way up to men’s 3XL, with women’s n a nice shapely, fitted cut in a variety of sizes, so there is something for everyone in our range.

They will be available for sale roadside from the van by the crew wherever they stop for fundraising and events from Perth (It will take a while to ship them over to Perth). Meanwhile back at base Emma and I are working furiously on an online shop. When we finally get it up you will be able to buy not only T-shirts, but notepads, pens, wristbands and ribbons, temporary tattoos and a huge variety of stickers, and coming soon will be the Love Your Sister Sticker Family stickers. There are also bookmarks, postcards and phone covers and soon there will be caps and beanies available. I will keep you posted on when our shop goes live and what sort of wonderful stuff you can buy to support the Love Your Sister cause even more.

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Connie's Diary: Bella Bleu

Bella Bleu

I have been feeling a bit blue. Although I have been off chemo for a while I am still very fatigued and am sleeping a lot. I would really like to get more hours out of every day. Karen from Bella Bleu came along with more frocks for me! What a fantastic pick me up! I now have a new dress for every possible occasion. I feel like a million bucks in them. They are so soft and well designed, all designed in Australia and sold in boutiques around the country. How lovely are they? I feel like a princess, I am so lucky to have been given these beautiful dresses by Bella Bleu.

 

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Connie's Diary: Soundtrack and T-Shirts

Soundtrack

In the background we are working on something really exciting. We are trying to release a Love Your Sister Soundtrack. It has been so amazing, it started when Brock Mathers, country music star, came forward and offered proceeds of his single sales on I-tunes towards our fundraising efforts. Then Shadow Game, a Melbourne rock band offered us a track called unicycle heart, and it got us thinking, perhaps we could have our own soundtrack? Sam and I have been talking to everyone we know in music and we now have 9 songs for our soundtrack including 4 that have been written just for us! It is one of the most exciting things we are working on, I can’t believe we get our own soundtrack! It is amazing. The generosity of the talented musicians who have contributed their artistic talents and hard work to Love Your Sister has really taken my breath away. I am constantly surprised by the myriad of ways that people come to us and help, this is another example of people opening their hearts and giving their expertise and hard work to the cause.

It is so exciting, I can’t wait til we release it and everyone can have a listenJ

T-shirts

Love Your Sister T-shirts are finally on the way! I am excited to announce that they will be available by the end of May! We will be selling them roadside when Sam stops, and Em and Tony Hayes at Cleverbits are working on an online shop so soon you will be able to buy them online too. It’s all very exciting.

We literally have stacks of T-shirts! Yay J

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Connie's Diary: Ord River and Chemo Holiday

Ord River

Before this epic odyssey began I set Sam a number of challenges to complete along the way. One of them was to cross the Ord River dam at night. Apparently if you shine a flashlight up the river you see hundreds of red eyes looking back at you in the night. I have read books and seen documentaries on the Ord River and it sounds amazing, something I would really love to see.

Sam is there now, and I am not well enough to join him there. It is a sad moment for me, because the Ord was part of this journey that I didn’t want to miss out on. He went out on the Ord today and the photos look magnificent. At the moment I will have to enjoy it vicariously and be thankful that at least one of us got to see it. I look forward to seeing him again and hearing all about it.

Disappointed about chemo holiday

At about this time last year I was feeling really tired and worn out and I had a break from the chemo for about a month. It really refreshed me and had me walking with a spring in my step. I didn’t realise it, but I was expecting a similar effect from this chemo holiday. I am disappointed that I don’t feel better, it hasn’t really done anything to rejuvenate me or recharge my batteries so far, here’s hoping I get some results as time goes by. Maybe I will be feeling better by the time I start chemo again, who knows, it’s possible.

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Connie's Diary: Home and Thank You NT!

Home to boys

After an eventful and action packed trip to Darwin Love Your Sister went on their way, on to the next town to spread the word and raise money, and I went home to my boys. I miss them terribly when I go away and it is always lovely to see them all when I get home. Hammy ran up to me and jumped on my lap (in the wheelchair at the airport) and asked ‘Where is my present mummy?’ They get a little gift every time I go away for Love Your Sister because I feel guilty for deserting them, especially when I know my time is limited. This time I got them little pewter animals, a frilled neck lizard and a crocodile which started lots of lovely conversation bout native animals. It’s great to be home.

Thanks Darwin and all the Territorians who supported LYS Darwin

I find myself overwhelmed once more by the generosity and community mindedness of people and businesses who give what they can, think of ways to raise money, and spread the word far and wide, for women not to fall into the booby trap, to be breast aware.

Express Signs did vehicle wrapping advertising that Love Your Sister was coming to town. They were eye catching and effective and donated totally free of charge. 

Yamaha Darwin provided discounted service and tyres so the Love Your Sister could keep going on the journey, Thanks for helping us out at late notice and much discounted rates. This sort of help keeps the wheels turning on the whole event and doesn’t go unnoticed by us.

Campari paid for meals and provided great prizes for raffles and auctions, and the delightful Jennifer helped us organise events and made things run smoothly.

The media in Darwin have been so helpful, helping us get the word out to people that we were in town, without them we wouldn’t have had so many people turning up knowing about the Love Your Sister cause so a huge thanks to the following media for all of your support.

Hot 100 Radio – Tom & Courts

Mix 104.9 - Mel Little

ABC Radio

NT News

Channel 9

Channel 10

And check out this extensive list of businesses who contributed prizes for the raffles and auctions that all helped in raising the huge amounts that we raised at all of the events here.

Viva La Vida

Territory Sports Medicine

Sculpt Hair & Beauty

Darwin Airport Shuttle

Springfield Butchers

KTM Massage

Mary River Wilderness Retreat

Happy 2 B Home Pet Minding

Arafura Blue Water Charters

Parap Day Spa

Equinox Fishing Charters

Ooolala Beauty

Flight Path

Deckchair Cinema

Chic Signs

Dominoes Pizza

Adelaide River Queen

Bewitched Jewellry

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Connie's Diary: Stay with Steve and Michelle

Today was a day to say goodbye to Sam (and Jonno and Ley Ley) again. I said good bye from Fed Square, and then again from Adelaide, but this time it crippled me. I just didn’t want to say good bye, perhaps it’s because I don’t know when I’ll see him again. Perhaps it’s because I have ended up in hospital this trip and it reminded me that I am unwell, that all this is uncertain and that I am terminal. I was a blithering wreck, hardly able to stand up I didn’t want to say goodbye so badly. After a very emotional good bye I spent the day resting. Then, after being ferried around Darwin and taken to the emergency ward by our beautiful hosts, Michelle Teather and Steve Ellis, I finally got to stop and have a chat with them tonight. It was great to sit, eat together, and chat. We talked, we laughed, we cried and then we laughed some more. It was great to have some time to sit down and get to know each other and we had such a good night that I was so glad I stayed longer.

When I cried I went and got a roll of toilet paper, to use as tissues, and Michelle exclaimed ‘We do have tissues here you know!’ She had been finding rolls of toilet paper around the house the whole time we had been there, ‘cos Sam and I, and the crew were all grabbing a roll whenever anyone teared up. We joked that I was crying so much that I needed a string around my neck to hang the roll on, and Steve, low and behold produced a camping toilet roll holder, on a string for me to carry around when I am teary. It was so funny I cried tears of laughter, and needed the toilet roll again.

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Connie's Diary: Monsoons & Ducks Nuts Farewell

Monsoons

Thanks again goes out to Jennifer Kollman for giving the boys the opportunity to strip for a room full of lovely ladies, it will go down in the Love Your Sister History as one of the most interesting dares of all.

There are some things a sister never needs to be privy to -  and a strip show is one of them, so even if I had been feeling well, I obviously would have avoided this one. I will leave it up to your imagination and the memories of the ladies who attended and comment no further on this fundraiser!

Ducks Nuts Farewell

The lovely folk at Duck’s Nuts gave Sam and the crew a farewell breakfast today. I stayed back and slept and to be honest wallowed in my misery about saying goodbye. It was lovely for the crew to have a send off from Darwin, as the territorians have stolen our hearts by being so supportive and enthusiastic, not to mention generous. Thanks Duck’s Nuts.

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Connie's Diary: Project Cross & Hibiscus

Project Cross

Channel Ten’s The Project have been big Love Your Sister Supporters since the beginning. Today we did another cross. It just doesn’t get any less nerve wracking, even after practice. I truly don’t know how Carrie and the team do it, AND make it look so easy. It was great to chat to the guys on the desk again, they are so lovely and down to earth and their support for LYS is really heartwarming. I was glad that I didn’t miss this cross as well, after the disappointment of missing the Today Show cross I couldn’t have missed another thing.

Hibiscus

Carmel Kennedy organised an event at The Hibiscus Bar, which does a topless night. Who would be more concerned about breast cancer than women who need them for their work, and the men who enjoy it from the other side of the bar? I think this fundraiser was a stroke of genius because it is such a poignant message when you are at a topless bar! I thought I would be uncomfortable seeing breasts everywhere, when I don’t have any anymore, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all, just part of the night. There was a huge raffle and auction and so many people came along to support the cause. In one night, they raised over $7000! Although I left not long into the event to go back to the hotel and get some rest I got to meet some people and got the vibe that it was going to shape up into a big night and a good fundraiser.

I went back to the Vibe/Adina and had dinner in bed and a big rest. I think that the chips were the best chips I have ever had, and I am somewhat of a hot sip fanatic, so that is really saying something. After my yummy vegies and delicious chips with aioli I put my feet up and had a big rest. I am starting to get my strength back, but have delayed my flight home for a couple of days in the hope that I will feel stronger soon and more confident to fly in a few days.

There was a delivery from The Silver Grevillea at the hotel. They delivered a lovely basket of goodies and some beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. I am constantly surprised by people generosity and love, this is yet another example of people giving what they can and sharing in the Love Your Sister experience.

Me and Michelle Teather with the lovely flowers from The Silver Grevillea.

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Connie's Diary: Bendigo Bank & Scott & Liam by the Pool

Bendigo Bank

Bendigo Bank community branches and the Community Enterprise Foundation have been getting behind Love Your Sister all along the way, and today in Raintree Park, they presented us with 2 fat cheques from their fundraising efforts in the Northern Territory. They really do give back to the communities that support them, and get involved to make a difference. Thanks Bendigo Darwin, for this mammoth effort!

Scott and Liam by the pool

In between fundraisers today Sam went and had a dip in the pool at the luxurious Vibe/Adina hotel that put the boys up for the Darwin stay. Sam and I were having a chat, we had the pool to ourselves. It was serene and peaceful, I was sitting on the edge dangling my feet in the pool when 2 guys came along for a swim. They were young, probably in their twenties, maybe early thirties. I don’t know why, but I was surprised when one of them recognised Sam and said ‘aren’t you that guy on the unicycle?’ This started a lovely conversation, they were so interested in Love Your Sister, so nice to Sam and me, just all round nice guys, and it was so good to see that men are interested in Love Your Sister as well. Before we left they gave us a huge donation, I think they gave us everything in their wallets, it was so touching, they gave all they had in support of Sam and Love Your Sister. I was reflecting on it later with Sam and he said that it is very moving, and that I would be surprised by how often this sort of thing happens on the road, where people give donations, small and large. He calls them doughies, short for donations, and there are various types, mostly roadside doughies, but Scott and Liam’s was a poolside doughie. I felt privileged to witness this poolside doughie.

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Connie's Diary: Raintree Park

Raintree Park is right in the middle of Darwin, or it seems to be to me, an outsider and we had a bbq and get together there today. Thanks to Darwin City Council, we were able to use this space for fundraising and meeting people and spreading the booby trap awareness message. I was late, but I eventually summoned up the energy to go along and I was so glad I did. When I arrived Sam was talking on the microphone, addressing the crowd and I went up and stood next to him while he was talking about me, he was so happy to see me, but then, unexpectedly, he handed to microphone over to me, I was so unprepared, but I had a chat with the crowd and the day progressed nicely.

One Mob are a group of dancers from different tribes around the Northern Territory. They danced and played music and were wonderful. The dance and music was so expressive and it was great to have some custodians of the land welcome us and invite us to Darwin. I felt honoured to be welcomed in this way.

Then Mick cracked his whip, what an amazing skill, he makes it look so easy, cracking his whip at a rate of notes, and so musically it sounded like the beat of a song, and all without breaking sweat. Sam gave it a go and mastered it after about 10 tries, then he was challenged to crack the whip whilst riding a unicycle – and he did it. When he completed the challenge everyone screamed and clapped madly, there was a real sense of achievement amongst everyone there, it was a triumphant moment. I had a go and it was, lets say, pitiful, no whip cracking for me. Mick also kindly donated his DVD and a whip for the auction at Hibiscus later today. He was a great guy, very skilled and very humble and kind, thanks Mick!

Tanya is our tourism superstar!  We’re not sure where she finds the time, but she also volunteers for a number of charities and the NT equivalent of the SES.  I have no trouble picturing her hanging out of a chopper rescuing a wayward tourist.  Tanya got us hotel rooms and airport transfers and a host of other things!  

Sam’s phone never stops ringing, and today I was reminded that he will answer it whenever possible, even when he is busy. Someone presented him with a snake at today at Raintree park, and at first he recoiled (as anyone should when someone puts a snake around their neck – in my opinion), but he became accustomed to it after a little while and was even answering the phone and conducting business as usual – with a snake wrapped around his neck. This ride is really opening his mind and opening up to a whole range of opportunities and challenges that one doesn’t normal face in everyday life. I love that he will try anything in the name of Love Your Sister.

Sam’s friend from forever ago, and our very first Darwin Helper!  Raintree Park is Sophie’s doing, and most of it single-handedly.  Thanks Sophie, Raintree Park was a very special event and we couldn’t have done it without you.

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Connie's Diary: Precinct Tavern & Today Show Cross

Precinct Tavern

I missed the Precinct Tavern event as well, too tired, but I am sure Sam had enough fun for both of us! The idea was that if I rest tonight I might be OK for the live cross to The Today Show in the morning and for tomorrow’s events, We’ll see.  

Thanks to Jennifer Kollman for organising this great night and for thinking of so many ways to raise extra money for the cause.

Today show cross

I woke up at 8:30 and realised that I had missed my alarms (I set 3 last night) and missed 2 calls from Sam and a call from a private number. I was so disappointed. Again, I had slept through stuff I really wanted to do. I wondered how the cross went, and because of the time difference, I was lucky enough to catch it. Sam was really sweet, he sent me a really cute message saying that he hopes I am feeling better soon, and Karl Stefanovic was charming and interested as he always is. He and the Today Show have been so incredibly supportive of Love Your Sister, and have helped us raise awareness and money for vital research. I was really disappointed to have missed the cross, but no sooner had I watched the cross my phone rings, it is a private number. I could have fallen over with excitement when the voice on the other end of the phone said it was Karl Stefanovic! He had called to see how I was feeling given that I hadn’t been well enough to do the cross. I was gobsmacked and I don’t think I could string a sensible sentence together I was so star struck. It was such a lovely gesture of kindness, and it really perked me up and got me inspired to at least try to go to some of the functions today.

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Connie's Diary: Crocosaurus Cove

After being discharged from hospital, officially, I headed back to Steve and Michelles to sleep some more. I was too tired to make it to Sam’s diving with a crocodile experience at Crocosaurus Cove. Sam is being very stoic about all these dares, embracing the fear and trying to make the most of every experience. All I can say about this one is that I am glad it was him not me who had to get in the Perspex box and plunge into the water with a massive croc!

The Bendigo Bank held a fundraising raffle, and the prize was to go in the cage with Sam! I can’t believe they sold any tickets, but apparently there are lots of people who would jump in a cage and swim with crocs, because they raised a heap of money and Michael McKelligott was the winner of the raffle.

Thanks to Susan O’Loughlin at Crocosaurus Cove for organising this hair raising dare and to Mick Murray at the Bendigo Bank who co-ordinated the raffle for the companion diver.

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Connie's Diary: Alan Walker Cancer Center

By the time I had finished at Wulagi Primary and the radio stations I was well and truly exhausted again, so instead of continuing with the events planned for the day,  headed back to my hospital bed. I was only there for another couple of hours before they discharged me anyway, but it was a good opportunity to rest. Meanwhile Sam went off to the Alan Walker Cancer Centre to meet people affected by cancer and do a fundraiser. After that fundraiser I received some unexpected visitors, 5 women who are also breast cancer patients. They had come along to the fundraiser at the cancer centre and were all in varying stages of treatment and remission. It was a lovely surprise and I was touched by their thoughtfulness.

Thanks to Nikki Grieve to organising this great event, it was very interesting for Sam and helped us raise funds towards our goal.

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Connie's Diary: Wulagi

Wulagi

Sam gets to visit heaps of kids in schools along the way, and this is the first time I have done a school visit with him. What a privilege it is to talk to children in their school environment about cancer and Love Your Sister. They had all dressed up in Pink and had made welcome posters that were simply adorable. While I was talking a little girl ran up from her class and gave me a huge hug. It was such a moving experience.

After the special Love Your Sister Assembly, we were lucky enough to meet with an intimate group of students who are experiencing grief. We had a very touching little chat with a small group of kids experiencing sadness and I felt honoured that they talked to us about their loss. It gave me a glimpse into what my children will experience, and affected me profoundly. I cried with these children, and later when I was alone and reflected on it, I cried for these children, then I cried for my boys, who, before long will lose their own mummy. I wish there was something I could do to ease their pain, some way that I could prepare them for what they are going to have to experience at a young age.

Thanks to Jacqui, Matilde and Leilani for getting us involved with Wulagi and to Susan Kilgour, Principle who worked with us to organise this great event and Karen – you know who you are and what you contributed.

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Connie's Blog: Breakout of Hospital

Well, I arrived in Darwin and had a – let’s say – eventful evening (read – disastrous). I started to feel quite unwell and was in a bit of pain before I got on the plane. I just got progressively worse throughout the flight, so when I arrived, I had a sleep for 5 hours. That refreshed me somewhat, but I was very disappointed when Sam came to wake me up because I discovered that I had missed the whole evening with my family and some of the Darwin crew. I find I am missing so much these days, but it was great to wake up and have everyone there.

I didn’t last long before I started to feel really sick and Steve and Michelle, who I was staying with in Darwin rushed me off to the hospital ‘cos I passed out. Really I just wanted to keep them on their toes, and check out the Darwin health care system. I was very well looked after and all of the staff were very compassionate and caring.

In the morning I felt dreadful, and when I looked at myself in the mirror I got the shock of my life, I looked awful, but I had some radio interviews that I really didn’t want to miss, and I was so keen on the even organised for this morning, Wulagi Primary School.

I asked if I could leave hospital yet, and they said I could leave, but it would be against medical advice. I must have still been high from the adrenaline they had given me earlier, and had some sort of super human strength, invincibility thing going on and decided that I would break out, and come back a bit later to finish any treatment and get some more rest if I started to go downhill again.

With some help, I busted out and ventured off to the radio stations. First I met Tom and Courts at Hot 100 and had a great chat with them, then went over to the Mix 104.9 and met Mel. I had a blast talking to Tom and Courts and then had a bit of a cry talking to Mel. These interviews are a strange thing, sometimes it is all fun and jokes, and in others they pull on the heart strings, and you never know what it is going to be, then it all happens so quickly that you hardly have time to process what has happened until much later.

Sam was funny when I met up with him just before the hot 100 interview, and the look on his face when he saw me told me how terrible I still looked, then when we were on air he tried to explain how he felt in that moment when he saw me and he said that I looked like a Christmas tree with all the tubes hanging off my arms and diodes stuck all over me. He has never been good with hospital stuff, and times like this remind me just how hard he finds all things sick and hospital. He really is facing his fears in so many ways on this journey, and his fear of hospitals is one of the biggest ones. He is a brave man, and so strong the way he is embracing the challenges along the way, and also trying to be supportive of me while I am in hospital and not at my best. 

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Connie's Diary: Off to Darwin

Sam is approaching Darwin and I am off to meet him there. I am a bit worried about this trip. Before launch in February I was so much more energetic than I am now, and I was able to run on adrenaline and sleep after it was all over. When I went to visit Sam in Adelaide it was the same – even though I was clearly still not in full health I was able to go to all the events and managed to get to all the media. After launch in Melbourne, and the Adelaide visit I slept for 2 days solid, waking to eat and take medicine, then going straight back to sleep. But I was still able to go, and to work while I was there.

I am concerned that this time I won’t be able to muster up any energy to get involved and do the work I want to do while I am there, I am so tired it is hard to describe. Hopefully the energy will come from the excitement of it all and I can sleep it off later.

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Connie's Diary: Thank you Bella Bleu

Bella Bleu putting the smile back on my face

I have been down in the dumps lately, and what better thing to cheer a girl up than a new frock? Karen from Bella Bleu first came on board to help Love Your Sister by donating a percentage of sales to LYS from her ‘Bella Bleu’ boutique in Moonee Ponds in Melbourne where she sells her beautiful designer dresses. Through her fundraising campaigning campaign she raised over $300 for LYS, but she wanted to do more! Very generously she has also offered to dress me for my events for Love Your Sister in dresses that I will feel comfortable wearing – without my prosthetic boobs! She came equipped with a variety of dresses in a variety of sizes, and did a styling session with me. Karen was so thoughtful, she chose styles that don’t have darts for the breast area, and wouldn’t have spaces that would sag if I didn’t wear my fillets. She came with an great selection – and then, amazingly, gave me one of every dress that I liked! I felt like the queen or a film star, with a new dress for every day of the week. And all of them I can wear without my prosthetics, and I feel so beautiful and elegant in them. Thanks Karen!

For any women reading this, who have ever wondered about how it might feel to have a mastectomy, I can’t speak for all mastectomy patients, but for me personally I went through I bad stage of self-consciousness because of my new shape. My oncologist said that plenty of women are flat chested, like Kiera Knightly for example, and she is still beautiful. While my doctor may have been trying to make me feel better, it didn’t work, because I know what it is like to be flat chested as I was a very late bloomer, and was very skinny as a teenager, and was flat chested. I didn’t really develop until I was in my 20’s and put some weight on. So I know what it is like being flat chested – It is completely different to having no breasts AT ALL – and no muscles – and no nipples. It has taken some getting used to, and I still feel funny about it. Since I had my operation 2 ½ years ago I have been shopping once, that’s right, once. I have trouble finding clothes because women’s clothes are made with saggy areas in the front to accommodate boobs, so if you don’t have any, shopping becomes a nightmare.

Karen has come into my life and saved the day! She has shown me that there are elegant clothes available, and that I can feel like a million bucks without having to wear stick on plastic boobs that hurt like a band-aid to pull off, with big cumbersome mastectomy bras that cut off the circulation to my right arm. I can be comfortable – physically and emotionally, and I can look great. Thanks so much Karen and Bella Bleu for these beautiful frocks, but more importantly for making me feel beautiful, just the way I am.

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Connie's Diary: Lethargy

Lethargy

I am in the 2nd week of my chemo holiday (that’s a break from chemo). I am probably expecting too much, but I was hoping to feel better by now, I guess I just have to be patient, hopefully as my body has more time to recover I will start to feel a bit more energetic, and won’t be needing to sleep as much. Fingers crossed.

Why aren’t you in bed Mummy?

You know that you are sleeping a lot if you’re kids ask you why you are not in bed when they get home from school.  Hammy walked in after school yesterday and said, ‘Hi Mum, why aren’t you in bed?’ It was such an innocent question, as most things they say are, but for him to think it was unusual for me to be awake, so much so that he asked  a question about it, it really highlighted to me how much I do sleep, and how much of my kids’ lives I am missing while I am sick or tired. The poor little kids, they just expect not to see me after school. They just expect that I am going to be too sick or tired to get up and play with them. I wish I had more energy for them, to enjoy more fun times, play, and even more homework time with them.

Thank you Nak Hair!

Nak Hair care has very generously donated hair care products for me and the team for the duration of the ride. I feel very special having lovely hair care products, and feel that I must use them up now that my hair has grown back.

Connie's Diary: Wizard Dress Ups

Hammy had a dress up day at school, with an open theme, he could dress as whatever he wanted. The trick was convincing him to dress as something that would be achievable to make a costume for. Done. He chose a wizard so we set about making a wand and a cauldron to go with the hat and cape that he already had.

I rarely spend time with one boy, most of the time I spend with them is both of them. While II was making hammy’s costume, Mike took Willoughby for a ride, so we wouldn’t have any distractions. It was a real treat to spend time with Hammy by himself. It was absolutely delightful, he chattered away and got excited about his cosume. At one point he said ‘My wand is the magickest thing in the whole world” and I think it might be because he made me so happy with his happiness that it was like magic for mum.

Connie's Diary: Chemo Holiday

Chemo – I am onto cycle 25 of this chemo, Xeloda, which is tablet form. Before that I had IV chemo, 6 cycles and other drugs to try to stop the spread of the disease. It was spreading voraciously between every scan. The good news is it is stopping the spread of the disease. The bad news is that it is still chemo and it is tiring. Most people are exhausted after having one or two cycles of chemo, as I was. But as the cycles tick on I am getting more and more exhausted. It is hard to describe how it feels, except by saying that every day feels like the worst hang over of my life – without the good night before hand. I am tired. I need a break.

My oncologist has said that I can have a break to try to recharge my batteries. I am going to have 5 weeks off. Hopefully, by the end of those 5 weeks I will be feeling normal again, and won’t be sleeping 16 hours minimum per day. That would be great.

Connie's Diary: Tennant Creek

Sam is the one pedalling the km’s on this journey, and Jon Bon Jonno and Ley Ley support him out on the road, but behind the scenes we have some amazing people working on organising this massive event and keeping us up to date with media, social media, promotions and sponsorships. We are very fortunate to have a team of experts who all contribute to this event and make it all possible. After I set Sam this crazy challenge, we worked on it together for 18 months, trying to secure sponsorships, working on route mapping, logistics  event management and planning and attracting media attention, not to mention learning what social media is all about. This was a massive bonding experience for Sam and me, we shared the highs and lows, the ups and downs. As the event started to get legs and started to grow into the mammoth event that it now is we quickly realised that we couldn’t do it all ourselves, that we would need some help, serious help.

That help has come in many forms, so many people and organisations have gotten behind us and helped us out in so many ways. One of the most valuable contributors has to be Em. She is my bestie, we have known each other for over 20 years and are inseparable  She is like a sister to me. And now she is a Love Your Sister Sister.

Em has been working since before launch to help us out in every way possible. She helps with PR, media, event management, sponsorships, logistics, legalities, just about everything. There is a reason we call her ”Little Miss Get-It-Done” because that is what she does. She get’s stuff done. And she does all this after work! She has a job that pays that she works full time in, then she comes home and works on Love Your Sister every night from 6pm til midnight every night. If that’s not enough, she then works 10 hours a day every Saturday and Sunday as well. She is so dedicated and we would dearly love to show her how much we appreciate everything she does for us.

We also have a very generous, anonymous benefactor who has been able to help with some of the expenses of our fundraiser, so that every cent given by the public goes to the cause. This benefactor also appreciates Em’s dedication and wanted to show it. And the way t show appreciation? A Boob mobile! Em now has a boob mobile of her own to drive to all her meetings for the duration of Sam’s journey. I am constantly surprised by how people come forward to help on Love Your Sister and this is another amazing surprise show of LYS love.

Em contacted all sorts of people on every town Samuel is set to ride through to find people who want to help by welcoming Samuel and the crew to town, and organise fundraisers in each location to help us edge towards our $1M goal. She contacts newspapaers, radio stations, councils, CWA’s, local businesses, community groups and schools. Then n every town, someone will get interested in our cause and contact Em back. Then they work together to organise receptions for Samuel and dares and fundraisers. Jenny, in Tennant creek was Em’s contact and go to Gal for the Tenant Creek fundraiser. She heard about it from the council just a week before Sam was due to arrive. In one week, she pulled an event together, and it was one of the best yet. She organised a band, DJ, venue and raffles. She and Em worked together, with the help of a heap of local businesses who donated items for the raffle. Together they e=welcomed Sam into town, dared him to wear a very fetching tutu to the event, and they raised over $5 000. An amazing result from a small community who got together and got behind the cause. Another great effort and a reminder that breast cancer effects every community and that every community Samuel visits puts in and gets behind him to help out. Thanks Tenant Creek!

Connie's Diary: Cushions & Canberra Weekly

Nancy Stroop from South Australia has been busy sewing “Have a Hearts” they are Love Your Sister cushions and they are simply adorable. They are soft pink polar fleece hearts with a black ribbon across them. She is selling them for $15.00 a pair, one big and one small. One is to keep and one to give to your sister. You can even have a name monogrammed onto the ribbon for a small fee. 50% of sales go straight to Love Your Sister. There is also a small postage charge. They are so cute, and this week we received 4 in the post, 2 big ones for Mike and I and 2 little ones for the boys, all monogrammed. These cushions have made my couch complete. I’m not sure who liked them more, me, or the kids.

How perfect are they? Order one now through Nancy Stroop’s Facebook Page

Mention in the Canberra Weekly

The Canberra Weekly wrote up a little article about our humble little fundraiser at The Capital Chemist a few weeks back. It’s not just Sam who makes the press!