Geraldton cancer survivor Melissa Marquis urges community to support Dry July for regional cancer services

Melissa Marquis has worked hard to get where she is in life.

Having worked in education for 30 years, she was promoted to principal at St John’s Primary School in Rangeway.

With her loving husband and two children all happy and healthy, her hard work was reaping rewards.

However, life sent a curveball her way in the form of a medical diagnosis.

“In 2020, I turned 50 and had great celebrations, and at the time the breast screening van was here in Geraldton,” she said.

“I went and had a mammogram and got a call back to go for another mammogram, then after that, I was advised that I needed to go to Royal Perth and spend a day in Royal Perth undergoing a range of tests.”

“The next day the doctor let me know that I had breast cancer. I had a lump that was 5cm.”

Ms Marquis travelled between Geraldton and Perth for ongoing treatment.

She said the support of those involved, including nurses, family, friends, and organisations like the McGrath Foundation were paramount to her recovery and reaching a cancer-free status.

She said having a breast care nurse was important in her recovery, providing a service “you just can’t put a price on”.

Ms Marquis is backing the need for a local oncology service, saying it could help people across the Mid West.

“When you are dealing with a serious illness, there really is no place like home,” she said.

“So to be able to receive the treatment that you need, and then be able to go home and be in your own house and be able to relax and recover, is extremely important.”

Ms Marquis said organisations like the Dry July Foundation went a long way to helping those with cancer, particularly those in the regions.

“Without the support of the Dry July Foundation, people wouldn’t have access to the McGrath breast care nurses, and particularly in regional centres where you can’t always get the medical treatment that you need,” she said.

The Dry July Foundation encourages people to go alcohol-free throughout the month, to swap out their drinks to help those in need.

Last year, the foundation raised $7.9 million for cancer support services.