When Catherine Brincau’s husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, her father lamented: ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’.
Less than two years after her husband’s death, Ms Brincau’s father was also diagnosed with cancer, and also died.
“When I told my mum and dad about my husband, my dad said ‘why him, why not me?’,” Ms Brincau says.
“And those words have always stuck in my head … cancer touched so close to home … before that I had never lost anyone, I had never experienced death in the family.”
A few years ago, Ms Brincau formed The Warriors group to take part in the Melton Relay for Life.
And the response from the community has been overwhelming, she says.
“People in their 70s are working so hard to raise money,” Ms Brincau says. “Sometimes I’m so exhausted and think I can’t go on any further, but then you see everyone working so hard, and I think I’ve got to put my everything in.”
Ms Brincau says she hopes there’ll be a time, and world where deaths from cancer will be a distant memory … maybe not in her lifetime, but hopefully her children’s.
“Cancer hits anybody and everybody – it’s like a Russian roulette.”
The Warriors have organised a fundraising dinner at the Melton Seniors Hall, McKenzie Street, from 7pm until midnight, on Saturday, February 11. Tickets cost $40, and include a buffet-style meal, entertainment “and a wonderful night for a great cause”.
For more information, call 0416 612 517.
