Back

Peterke "Pete" Cardell Brisbane, Queensland Australia     Click Here to Donate Now!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at the age of 41. At the time all I knew about breast cancer was that it would never happen to me. Wrong! Married with 2 boys aged 9 and 11, I was terrified of dying and leaving my children motherless. The worst thing I have ever had to do was to tell them I had cancer.

After enduring a gruelling chemo and radiation regime, I expected that ‘normal’ life would resume. Wrong again! Together with my family, I discovered that the real healing, the emotional healing was only just beginning.

I was a different person and people didn’t understand why I couldn’t move on. Fortunately, I found the support of a younger women’s group run by The Choices Program where I met other women who felt the same way and understood me. I then also discovered Dragons Abreast who have become my second family. I am a member of the Brisbane team, and yes you can blame me for out new name, Missabittatitti.

These brave determined breast cancer survivors of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds are a constant source of inspiration to me and help me to live life with a joy I didn’t know existed

My wonderful family is very supportive and proud of what I have achieved. My sons tell me that my life is very exciting since I had breast cancer. I tell them that is true but only because I have chosen to make my life that way.

Last year, my family travelled to Canada with me to watch me take part in the 10 year celebration of Abreast in a Boat. This was a hugely uplifting and inspirational experience but there were tears as well as we remembered our friends who had died.

Although I am proud of my achievements so far, I feel that it is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and face a new challenge. I am very excited and a little bit scared. I hope that I can inspire other women to get out there and grab life by the horns and am pleased to have this opportunity to continue to raise awareness about breast cancer, especially in younger women, and also to raise much needed funds for Dragons Abreast.