General News
5 October, 2022
Cancer sufferer to launch fundraiser
DEB Etherton’s battle with stage four breast cancer has inspired her to launch a fundraising initiative as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
DEB Etherton’s battle with stage four breast cancer has inspired her to launch a fundraising initiative as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Ms Etherton will host a fundraising tea in Mortlake on October 18 in a bid to raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), a not-for-profit organisation offering support and advocacy to Australians impacted by breast cancer.
It is a support network which Ms Etherton understands the importance of after having begun her journey living with cancer in 2011.
“I took it all on board, I did not break down and cry,” she said.
“I accepted what was coming.”
Following her diagnosis Ms Etherton underwent successful surgery to remove the cancerous growth and lymph nodes, but two days later received a call from doctors stating she would have to begin radiation therapy.
She continued to work, albeit stepping down from a high-profile management position in Melbourne to a lower position in Mulgrave which allowed her to be closer to her family, but maintained a positive outlook.
However, Ms Etherton and her then-husband Kevin, who remains by her side to this day, made the decision to purchase property in regional Victoria and step away from work to enjoy life.
“On December 6, 2011, we had already decided I was going to retire and relocate to Nareen (North of Casterton) but I got a phone call at 7.30am.” she said.
“They said you need to get the Herald Sun.”
The Herald Sun had published revelations from former Country Fire Authority chief officer Brian Potter surrounding the use of cancer-causing chemicals at the CFA’s live-in Fiskville Training College, which has since been linked to dozens of cancer deaths.
The Fiskville site had been where Mr Etherton, a former CFA instructor, and Deb called home from February 1985 through to September 1988.
“What was happening at the time, at this fantastic complex, was the different chemical companies were bringing in 200 litre drums which would be burned as part of training,” Mr Etherton said.
“What we didn’t know was what we were burning was extremely carcinogenic, it was poisonous, toxic and we didn’t know.
“The CFA kept a lid on it, they knew it was toxic. They knew, and they kept it quiet.
“In an ironic twist, unbeknown to us, those three and a half years were the best ofour lives.”
Earlier this year the State Government announced a $57 million redress scheme for victims of the Fiskville cancer cluster.
Ms Etherton said facing the reality of her situation, and how her cancer may have occurred, took a heavy toll.
Three years later, the situation became worse.
In 2014 she was cleaning the house on a Friday afternoon and felt a soreness, which she identified immediately as something not being right.
“I contacted my team of oncologists, who told me to get to my doctor immediately; I drove like a bat out of hell and was there in 12 minutes,” Ms Etherton said.
“My GP said he would not argue, he trusted my intuition, and scheduled an urgent mammogram and ultrasound on the Monday.
“We went to Warrnambool for the mammogram and they told me not toget dressed.
“I looked over to Kevin with tears in my eyes and said I just knew my breast was going to have to be removed.”
Her intuition was correct. The cancer had returned, in the same spot at the same and the same position, and Ms Etherton underwent a single mastectomy.
But her fight was far from over, and in 2020 the cancer had spread to her liver, lungsand bones.
Despite the prognosis, Ms Etherton’s situation has not deterred her positive spirit.
She said her spirituality, diet and positive outlook were all factors she believes has kept her alive to this day.
“When I got my diagnosis in 2020, I looked at Kevin and I just said let’s go get that Boxer puppy,” Ms Etherton said.
“I’ve got this – so what?
“I’ve just got to live my life. That’s all you can do.”
It is a positive outlook she wishes to share with others who have been impacted by cancer, and throw her support behind BCNA.
“Nobody out there needs to go through this alone,” Ms Etherton said.
“There is a support network with BCNA.
“Help is there; you don’t need to keep these things to yourself, not anymore.”
“People do care.”
Ms Etherton said BCNA was there for those in their moment of need.
“I just want people to know there is respite for you and your families which can be organised through BCNA,” she said.
“It is an amazing organisation.
“They do the funding because they need more of their nurses out in regional Australia to help people like myself.”
The fundraising event will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at the Mortlake Senior Citizens Hall from 2pm.
Local businesses have already rallied behind the cause, with 17 businesses having donated thousands in prizes for a raffle to be drawnon the day.
Raffle tickets are $10 for three, with all proceeds going to BCNA.
To make a booking for the fundraiser contact Deb Etherton on 0474 888 654.
