BOWEL cancer affects one in every 11 men, and Rebecca Gallegos’ father Danny became an unlucky statistic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His journey through treatment has inspired her to throw her efforts behind Dry July, where participants go without drinking for a month.
“I just wanted to have a break from drinking so I did June and thought I might as well keep going and do Dry July,” Ms Gallegos said.
“I chose to raise funds for the North West Cancer Centre in Tamworth because of my dad’s experience.
“The centre does an awesome job of making a home away from home, it’s all free – I thought this is the place I want to fundraise for.”
Early intervention is really important, you know yourself if something isn’t right in your body so don’t wait.
- Rebecca Gallegos
Ms Gallegos has set herself an ambitious goal of $10,000, in the hopes more locals can benefit from the service.
“It was a pretty close call with dad, he’d been having symptoms for a while but a lot of men in these small towns don’t want to make a fuss or don’t have easy access to a doctor,” she said.
“Early intervention is really important, you know yourself if something isn’t right in your body so don’t wait – go to your doctor, have your prostate checked, look out for the symptoms and do it for your family.”
The North West Cancer Centre provides chemotherapy and radiation oncology to the most prevalent and commonly diagnosed cancers, including breast, prostate, lung and gastro intestinal cancers.
Read also:
It also offers free accommodation and transport with voluntary drivers to cancer patients.
When Ms Gallegos’ father was diagnosed, his bowel cancer had already progressed to stage 3, luckily it hadn’t yet spread to other parts of the body.
“It was really tough on him and his wife, he did really well with the surgery but undergoing the chemotherapy is pretty tough on your body, it really knocked him around,” she said.
“My family is really keen to help other people in the area, this year isn’t enough but it’s a great place to start and I’m just hoping to make a difference.”
So far, just three days into the challenge, Ms Gallegos has already raised more than $900 with the help of her team.
To make a donation visit dryjuly.com and search Rebecca Gallegos.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
