Corinne Kelleher's beautiful daughters have inspired her through her battle with breast cancer – and they will be cheering her on again at this year's International Women's Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-ray.
The Annerley mum will be among the record 23,000 people hitting the streets of Brisbane for the 5km fun run on Sunday 10 March to raise money for breast cancer services, equipment and research at Mater.
The CBD event is now sold out, but Mrs Kelleher is urging Queenslanders to create or join 'virtual' funs runs in their communities.
The 40-year-old said her own breast cancer diagnosis was "scary as hell" – but Harper, 7, and Sloane, 3, gave her all the motivation she needed to fight the disease.
"The girls absolutely inspired me to keep positive, to keep going and to keep at the forefront of my mind that I can and will get through this," Mrs Kelleher said.
"During treatment, they and my husband Steve have been the light in my life, the thing that has kept my head in a positive frame of mind."
Mrs Kelleher said she was honest about what "mummy is going through".
"Harper understands most of it, but Sloane often asks things like 'are your boobies still sick mummy?'," she said.
"The girls understand that chemotherapy can make mum tired, but that it is also healing me."
Mrs Kelleher is taking part in the fun run for the first time and is urging other Queenslanders to get involved.
"I want to do my bit to raise awareness, particularly for women in my age group, who don't routinely get mammograms," she said.
"I saw this as my chance to go a step further and raise money for the cause. For me, the day will consist of completing the run alongside my very supportive husband, and our girls will be with my parents, cheering us on at the finish line."
With no family history of breast cancer, the Mater Private Cancer Care patient underwent treatment following her diagnosis with hormone receptor positive, invasive ductal carcinoma.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts of the breast and moves into nearby tissue.
Mrs Kelleher underwent a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction in September last year and had four lymph nodes removed during her surgery.
She began chemotherapy on 30 October and has completed 10 cycles of treatment, with six more to go.
"With the support of my wonderful family and friends, I have managed to keep my life relatively normal through chemotherapy so far," Mrs Kelleher said.
"I have maintained my full-time job throughout my treatment (from home), and I get to the gym at Fitstop Salisbury most days.
"The main giveaway has been my lack of hair! I am still trying to embrace the headscarf look."
Mater Private Hospital Breast Clinical Nurse Consultant Ash Mondolo said hormone receptor positive breast cancers can be treated with hormone therapy drugs that lower oestrogen levels or block oestrogen receptors.
Mater Private Hospital breast surgeon Dr Ben Lancashire and oncologist Dr Paul Kalokerinos are caring for Mrs Kelleher and said early detection was the best protection against a disease that claims the lives of more than 3,000 Australian women each year.
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said thousands of Queenslanders have already thrown their support behind the virtual challenge after the Brisbane CBD event sold out in record time.
""This year's event will be the biggest ever – and there's still time for Queenslanders everywhere to sign up online to a fun run in their community," Mr Thomas said.
"People are gathering their family, friends, work colleagues and even their fur babies to be part of their team," Mr Thomas said.
"From local parks, along the coastline or even on a treadmill - the possibilities are endless."
Funds from the event will go towards life-saving breast cancer research, as well as services and support for breast cancer patients at Mater hospitals in Brisbane, Springfield, Redlands, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
The virtual challenge allows people to walk, jog or run 5km, or choose their own distance, in their neighbourhood any time between Sunday 3 March and Sunday 10 March.
