Rach's Journey

Hi, My name is Jaye and I began this fundraiser to raise funds for Rach Mac, Founder and CEO of domestic violence charity Broken Crayons Still Colour Foundation Ltd, who has recently been diagnosed with metastatic cancer.

Rach Mac was once a broken victim of domestic violence, who decided that her suffering and pain would not be in vain, dedicating herself to help others on their own dv journey. From humble beginning in her garage, Rach created Broken Crayons Still Colour Foundation, a grassroots, lived experience-led domestic violence service in Western Australia.

In three years since becoming a registered charity, Rach has led Broken Crayons to achieve some phenomenal results, including the provision of the nation’s only emergency relocation service including our own emergency relocation vehicle, where Broken Crayons physically relocate victim survivors, supporting them to re-establish themselves and begin to heal from the domestic violence they have endured.

Broken Crayons also secured a warehouse in which to store donated household items including furniture, whitegoods, bedding, clothing, sanitary items, emergency food relief. To support this, led by Rach, we achieved a dream of securing our own truck to assist in picking up donations and deliveries for clients in need. As well as now operating a weekend social enterprise market where our clients can come to learn new skills and increase social connection. Broken Crayons offer advocacy support with Department of Child Protection and Family Support and the Department of Housing, as well as court support and support to navigate the judicial system, and everything else in between.

Some of our greatest achievements that Rach made possible are our two safe havens housing up to 8 mothers and 12 children. And we are soon to open Australia’s very first safe haven for men and their children experiencing domestic violence. Through Rach’s voice, Broken Crayons tirelessly advocates for the systemic changes needed to keep victims of domestic violence safe and hold perpetrators accountable, and awareness raising is something Rach is passionate about. Being a voice for those who have permanently or temporarily lost theirs, believing that silence breeds violence.

Someone so special now needs the help that she so freely gives others. We are looking for those helpers, the time is now......

You may or may not know that on the 5th September 2024 the Broken Crayons family were shattered to hear that our fearless founder has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive, late stage metastatic cancer. During the last few weeks Rach and her family have been navigating this new reality and coming to terms with the diagnosis, whilst Rach has had a multitude of CT scans, biopsies, pathology and oncology appointments to attend. The road ahead is uncertain, but we all know that just as with anything Rach sets her mind to, she is a fighter, and cancer is no exception.

Rach will soon undergo surgery to remove the malignant tumours and debulk the metastasis, at which time a frozen section of the cancerous cells will be sent to the lab for analysis and definitive diagnosis and staging. She will be left with a large scar from one ear to the other on the biggest trigger possible to her – her neck. Following surgery, Rach will undergo an intensive chemotherapy schedule. Unfortunately, the cancer is spreading rapidly, and this has been impacting Rach’s health, causing her to be extremely vulnerable due to her already low weight. This has meant she has had to stop work and is now with no income, and whilst she manages sorting out all of her affairs, she is understandably concerned about how she will manage this journey financially.

We would be remiss not to point out that Rach’s cancer is in her neck – the same neck that was subjected to repeated non-fatal strangulation by her abuser which caused lesions. It is the cells within those lesions that have become cancerous and have then metastasized, so as we have known for so long, domestic violence truly is the “gift” that keeps on giving.

Rach has a long journey ahead, one which I am sure will be well supported by so many of you who have in some way, or another, been touched by the work she does and the lives she has changed. Today is her birthday, (spent by Rach getting even more scans and blood tests) and I could think of no better day to launch this appeal. Sending Rach a big happy birthday by supporting a cause which potentially could help save her life, but at the least, allow her the time to be with her family and concentrate on herself.

Any financial support during this time will give Rach some breathing space to focus on what is important – her greatest fight yet, to beat this cancer!! If enough is raised, it may even give the freedom to take a holistic approach to her therapy and explore integrative cancer treatments that may open greater possibilities in addition to conventional options and to optimise the body’s natural defences.

I really have never known Rach to ask for anyone’s help for herself – so I am asking for her. Rach has saved so many lives, given away so many countless hours of her time to support others, never wanting or expecting anything in return. Now she needs us.

Please donate, any amount adds up and makes a difference. If you can not afford to donate, then please share.