Money raised for Cancer Council

Vicki White of Umina Beach celebrated her 50th birthday with a party on Sunday, October 10.

The party raised money for the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival's Mother of the Pearl competition to increase breast cancer awareness.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival has supported the Cancer Council NSW's Pink Ribbon fundraising and awareness campaign for the past five years, raising over $200,000 for breast cancer research and support services.

This year, the event will expand its fundraising via the Mother of the Pearl competition where women over the age of 35 years are able to fundraise for the event.

All entrants go into the running to win a jewellery set as the prize for the most funds raised.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival will be held on Sunday, November 14, at the Ettalong Foreshore.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival Ball will be held at the Ettalong Memorial Club on Friday, November 12, where the Charity Queen, Oyster Festival Queen and Mother of the Pearl winners will be announced.

According to Ms White, being a Mother of the Pearl entrant is a great way for local women to get involved.

"I have always been committed to making a difference to women in the community who have breast cancer," Vicki said.

"After going through the diagnosis and treatment at a young age while I had young daughters, I know how traumatic it can be.

"I will always remain committed to fundraising for breast cancer research as I want to see better outcomes for breast cancer patients and their carers in our community."

In 2006, Vicki was confirmed as carrying the BrcA1 gene which means she has an 85 per cent likelihood of developing further breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

In addition, her three daughters may have a heightened genetic risk of developing these cancers.

Cancer Council community relations co-ordinator Ms Lesley Chart said that there were around 300 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer on the Coast each year.

"Improved treatment and population screening has led to a decline in breast cancer mortality rates, with the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in NSW now at 88%," she said.

To find out more about how you can become a part of the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival, contact Cancer Council NSW on 4336 4500.

Media release, 7 Oct 2010 Lesley Chart, Cancer Council NSW