Donella Scown Cedar Creek, Queensland Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2006 and 2007 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

I was born and raised in New Guinea and married in 1970 after completing my paediatric specialist nursing in Sydney.

Breast cancer wasn’t in my vocabulary before 1997. I was sailing along in supposed good health and keeping up with mammograms etc but a month after a ‘clean bill of health’ I discovered a lump myself. There is a lot in the press about this these days but I feel very lucky to be well educated in looking after one’s own health so have never relied totally on the medical profession for this. My surgeon said at the time that I was lucky!! Lucky, I thought! This is not in my scheme of things but what he meant was that I was the lucky one because I knew I had breast cancer and could do something about it.

I now have the opportunity to greet every day with joy and hope and live life to its fullest. I work part time, enjoy my family and friends and make plenty of time to smell the roses……….

As a member of Missabittatitti Dragon Boat team – Dragons Abreast Australia, I feel so lucky to join up with other members and paddle in such a happy, healthy environment. This has been a large part of my on-going support mechanism and led to my introduction to Amazon Heart.

Last year I managed to get my big bike licence and my journey of discovery began. Registering for the Aus 2006 ride was the easy part. Putting myself out there, raising awareness of life after B C was very difficult initially. My husband, George, became my chief supporter and fund raising manager and for that I am forever grateful. I’m sure he thought I would just do the one ride and get the bike riding out of my system – wrong – I will have my own bike soon though Harleys are out of my league.

Once again my support team of George and our four grown-up children and their spouses are encouraging me to participate again in 2007. It continues to provide us with the opportunity to help encourage others and show them that they can move on and lead wonderfully fulfilling lives after B C.

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