Long-term Nationals’ member Alison Penfold will walk more than 70 kilometres this weekend to raise awareness of and funds for pancreatic cancer research.
The charity walk, on the Mid North Coast, is part of PanKind’s Remember September campaign to honour and remember the 71 Australians who die each week from pancreatic cancer.
Alison said the event is very close to her heart as she lost her mother Aileen to pancreatic cancer in 2013.
“It is an insidious disease, with symptoms often coming far too late for effective treatment,” Alison said.
“If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer tomorrow, there is only a 12.5% chance you will be alive in five years. My mum was part of the 87.5% with just one year between her diagnosis and her passing.
“The whole experience was traumatic and gut wrenching for Dad and I and our family and friends, so by taking on this walking challenge I hope to help other families by saving lives through better treatments and even a cure.”
Alison will walk from Harrington to Port Macquarie, and said both the start and end points hold special meaning.
“Mum lived in both Harrington and Port Macquarie at different times in her life and loved both places very much, so it makes sense for me to cover the 71 kilometre challenge by walking between both,” Ms Penfold said.
“I will start my walk from Minnamurra Drive in Harrington on Friday 20 September and I hope to complete the walk in 3 stages, finishing in River Park Road in Port Macquarie on Sunday.
“Given the beauty of the terrain to cover, it will be a very enjoyable physical challenge and at the same time raising much needed funds for live-saving pancreatic cancer research.
“I will be capturing my journey on my Instagram page @pennifold363 and people can donate at https://www.rememberseptember.org.au/fundraisers/alisonpenfold/move-it-in-september-2024
“Please visit my fundraising page and learn more how we can create a world without pancreatic cancer.”
PanKind’s goal is to triple the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2030 and dramatically improve the quality of life for those impacted by the disease.
