Towns and Wanderers come together on the field to help raise money and awareness for those fighting off it

It was a special round for the Geraldton Cricket League as for the first time both men’s and women’s games celebrated pink round, raising funds for the McGrath Foundation. Saturday was the big event as Wanderers and Towns hosted Pink Stumps Day with the event primarily organised by Towns’ opener Callum Marquis, with support from Wanderers Leanne Bidwell, whose mum Melissa Marquis is currently undergoing treatment. It’s a diagnosis no one wants to hear and for Mrs Marquis, it came shortly after celebrating her 50th birthday. “I turned 50 last year, and when you turn 50, there are a few medical checks that you need to go and do and I went and had a mammogram which came back positive and that’s a real fun way to celebrate,” she said jokingly. “You hope that that’s not going to be what the doctor is going to tell you, it was definitely a huge shock.” Mrs Marquis was joined on the day by other breast cancer survivors Janice Robartson and Suzanne Hogue. Mrs Robartson is a life member of Towns whose son and husband both used to play, and Mrs Hogue is the widow of legendary former player and administrator Doug Hogue, for whom the competition’s best player award is named. “You just sort of go blank and my sister-in-law was actually in having chemo when I was diagnosed,” Mrs Robartson said. “I think she was crying and I was laughing, I was just in shock.” Mrs Hogue, who was diagnosed more than 20 years ago, said anyone who has been diagnosed was a ‘survivor’. “We don’t think we’re sufferers, we are survivors even if it’s the day after your diagnosis, you are still here, you might die next week but today you’re a survivor.” While all three women experienced breast cancer at difference stages they are connected by their journeys and believe that connection is key. “To talk with other ladies that have been through the journey, they know exactly what you’re going through it just helps to make your own personal journey a lot easier along the way,” Mrs Marquis said. Mrs Hogue said it was “inspiring” to see other survivors. “You need to remain extremely positive in the journey and that support helps you to be positive along the way. Otherwise you fall in a big hole, you need to be buoyed up as much as possible.” Mrs Hogue and Mrs Robartson had to trek to Perth for treatment but Mrs Marquis can have hers in Geraldton with dedicated McGrath Foundation nurses. “The support that I receive from the nurses here is amazing,” Mrs Marquis said. “You can ask them any question like and they don’t make you feel like you’re asking a dumb question. “They are there for you not only to support you in that medical space but also in that emotional space as well.” Mrs Robartson advised people not to “Dr Google”. “Don’t get on that computer and Google,” she said. “I’ve made two really good friends, we had mastectomy the same day and then we started chemo the same day but we got different drugs. “No cancer is the same, everybody is different.” All the women were touched by the gesture of the sides coming together to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. “It means a lot, I’m really proud that my son has decided that he wanted to organise today,” Mrs Marquis said. “He’s been through the range of mixed emotions himself with his mum being diagnosed as well, it’s not just you that’s on your journey the whole family has to deal with it. “I’m very proud that he’s gone and done this, on the cricket field Wanderers and Towns have quite a big rivalry but to see the two clubs come together, to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and the breast care nurses is just truly amazing.” All three women shared the same advice to fellow survivors and women in general. “Early diagnosis is the key, so make sure you get yourself checked,” they said. “Accept whatever care is offered whether from friends or family, nurses and doctors, be positive and keep fighting the fight.” At the time of writing, the day had raised more than $2000.