Eleven months of the year, you might know me as the NUM of the Day Procedure Unit at Caboolture Hospital.
In October, you may recognise me as the six-foot bearded guy in the bright dresses.
I frock-up to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research, Australia’s most lethal
gynaecological cancer, which took my wife, Lisa, in 2020.
Lisa and I met in 1986 at a pub on Bribie Island. We hit it off right away and got married on New Year’s Eve in 1988. Over the years, we had a son and two daughters, and then grandkids came along. We had a great life together.
I joined the army when I was 19 where I trained as a Medic, undertaking numerous overseas deployments including spending nine months in East Timor as a resus team commander. I completed a nursing degree under an Australian Defence Force scholarship in 2000.
I left the army in 2010 and worked at the Mater in Townsville and Townsville University Hospital, before moving down here in 2018 when I got the job at Caboolture Hospital as the NUM of Day Procedure Unit.
Lisa remained in Townsville whilst trying to find a full-time position here.
Lisa was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in 2019. Her symptoms were inconspicuous, back pain, bloating, altered menstrual cycles.
Never did we think an insidious disease was about to change our lives and that of our kids forever.
Five-year survival rates for ovarian cancer are only 46 per cent, however this if often not the case. The majority of women are diagnosed in their advanced stages with the survivability rates dropping to as low as 29 per cent.
Lisa’s courageous battle lasted just 15 months.
I started #loveyourovaries and joined Frocktober in 2021.
Over three years, I’ve worn more than 90 dresses and raised over $115,000 for Ovarian Cancer Research to help find an early detection test.
Once an early detection test is developed, survival rates for ovarian cancer potentially will rise to 90 per cent and above, saving the lives of thousands of women every year.
Since 2021, Frocktober has given me the chance to start conversations with about 10,000 people.
When they ask why, I give them a #loveyourovaries business card with a link to donate.
My goal for this year is $57,032 – one more dollar than last year.
I know it’s a bit tough for everyone at the moment, which is why I’m asking people to donate just $5, the cost of a coffee.
If you’d like to donate, you can via Frocktober – loveyourovaries.
You can also join me at the loveyourovaries Frocktober Charity Auction Night on Friday 27 October, at 6.30pm.
Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.