Home

Geraldton woman shares story of breast cancer survival at Cancer Council office opening event

Lisa FavazzoGeraldton Guardian
Cancer support co-ordinator April Kalajzich and client Stacey Keeffe.
Camera IconCancer support co-ordinator April Kalajzich and client Stacey Keeffe. Credit: Lisa Favazzo/The Geraldton Guardian, Lisa Favazzo

A young Geraldton cancer survivor shared her touching story as the Cancer Council officially opened its new home last week.

Before she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2019, Stacey Keeffe, in her 30s, did not know what the Cancer Council did.

Over the next year, the organisation helped her pay the occasional bill, gave her something to wear when her hair fell out, checked up on her after chemotherapy sessions and put her up in Perth when she needed to travel for treatment.

“They do what doctors can’t help with. All the practical day-to-day,” she said.

Cancer-free since late last year, Ms Keeffe is endlessly grateful for the service. The new Cancer Council office will help support co-ordinator April Kalajzich and regional education officer Aiden McDowell continue their mission — to reduce to incidence and impact of cancer in the Mid West.

Cancer Council WA chief executive Ashley Reid said people in the Mid West survived cancer less often than their metropolitan counterparts. However, he said the organisation was well placed to make a meaningful difference.

“Your postcode should not dictate your cancer outcome,” he said.

Cancer Council 13 11 20

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails