Support Caroline (Skips) in her Ovarian Cancer Battle

Caroline is the kind of woman who you remember.

Her smile is as full as her generous nature. She gives freely, is loyal to her friends and family, embraces life, is kind, fun, adventurous and free spirited.

Originally from W.A. this girl from the bush set up stumps in paradise on the Sunshine Coast in QLD. It is here she raised her family; two wonderful sons, remarried and added a beautiful step-daughter to her clan, started businesses, made lifelong friends and supported the community. She gave her time to schools, businesses and charities, always involved, always a positive force of nature. She never cared much for the materialistic side of life. She only ever had what she needed and made the most of that for her and her family. She was the type of person that friends and family approached when they needed help. And she always gave what she could.

Caroline is the needle and thread that makes the fabric of a community.

Caroline is the type of person that when her friend was battling breast cancer she was fierce in her loyalty, there in her darkest moments and tirelessly assisted in all the beautifully ordinary and exceptionally extraordinary ways. She was there at the end. She washed her body and helped dress her in her favourite clothes when she had passed.

Caroline is the down to earth, grace and dignity that we all should aspire to.

Caroline is the kind of woman that will only ask for help when she really needs it. We're here to ask on her behalf because now she really needs it.

Our Caroline, or Skips, as her mates call her, has been diagnosed with Epithelial Low Grade Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer. This kind, tenacious and gorgeous red-haired warrior woman is about to embark on a challenging medical journey of treatment including chemotherapy and surgery. It's an evolving beast, with unknown terrain that can be terrifying.

Approximately 1,532 Australian women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer each year. There is no reliable screening test for Ovarian cancer yet, which means women must report symptoms, symptoms that are all too common and overlapping with menopause, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome and more. It's been described as the silent cancer; the one that can be explained away as something else...until it can't. https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/

There will be drugs, surgeries, hospitals, fatigue, mental load, emotional weight, scars, body alteration, gynaecologist appointments, explanations, MIR's, PET scans, biopsies, a full hysterectomy (removing uterus, cervix and ovaries) and uncertainty.

Through all this she will receive love, support, guidance, strength, loyalty and hope from her friends and family but she'll also need financial support.

During treatment Caroline is determined to keep working as much as she can, however this may be limited. Her husband, Patrick (PJ), her support, will also continue to work, but will naturally need to reduce his workable hours to be beside his soulmate as her rock and strength. They will need help to pay the bills, but also importantly, provide access for Caroline to any cutting-edge medical trials and complementary and alternative therapies that will support her mentally and physically.

Patrick and Caroline are proud but grateful for any assistance you may be able to provide their family during this time.

This Sunday Caroline will be taking control and having her red locks shaved off ready for the battle. On Monday she commences Chemotherapy.

We are a group of friends from different backgrounds combining our social networks, support, advocacy, admiration and love for our dear friend Caroline. We are putting the call out to all those who know Caroline or are empathetic to her plight. She needs our help.

Please donate and support in any way you can. It will make a difference. We pledge to keep you all updated on her journey and cannot thank you enough for your help.

Tray, Hannah, Megan, Donna & Rosalind.