Di has been part of our community at Breast Cancer Care WA since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 7 years ago.

You might recognise her as our 2023 Jump for Jane ambassador. In 2022, she decided that she wanted to give back to BCCWA and took a more unconventional approach to fundraising, hurling herself out of an aeroplane at 14,000 feet – despite being terrified of heights.

‘In the lead-up to it, I didn’t allow myself to think about it at all, because I figured that if I thought about jumping out of a plane I’d probably freak out and not do it,’ says Di. ‘But I’d had some very generous people donate money so I was definitely going to jump.’

‘The actual experience of jumping out of a plane was just amazing. I’m so glad I did it.’

Di’s strength and resilience is an inspiration to all of us at BCCWA, including the women in the support groups that she attends. After enduring a year of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and more chemotherapy, Di describes herself as fortunate: her cancer hasn’t progressed for a number of years. During this time, the experiences she’s had and the friendships she’s found in our workshops and support groups has been vital to her wellbeing.

‘There’s always someone you can talk to. And the counsellors are only a phone call away if you’re desperate for support.’

Despite her diagnosis, the message Di shares is one of hope.

‘There’s a lovely lady that’s just joined our group, and she thought, “I’ve been diagnosed with [metastatic cancer] and that’s the end.” And she’s met all these people that have been living quite well with metastatic cancer for a number of years. She went home with another idea—that I might survive this after all.’