Everyone will be affected by Cancer at some point in their lives, whether that be through a personal diagnosis, or experiencing the heartbreak of watching a family member battle the disease.
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Born and bred local Brooklyn Lawrence understands that better than most, and in the years since her mother was diagnosed, she has devoted a great deal of time to help fight the disease.
"My mother was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in 2014 and is currently undergoing palliative chemotherapy for Metastatic Bowel Cancer, I know what it is like to be affected by Cancer, and I wanted to do something to help others who may be in the same situation," she said.
"Last year, I participated in Bowel Cancer Awareness Month by selling pins at my local netball games but decided that this year, I wanted to do something bigger.
"I decided to hold a Bowel Cancer fundraiser; I was aiming for at least $500; I knew any money raised would help in some way."
To her surprise, and through the generosity of the residents of the Macleay, Brooklyn smashed her target and raised more than four times her goal.
"At the moment, we have raised $2,013.64; I was shocked and happy with the amount of money raised, it was a massive community effort," Brooklyn said.
"When I put up the initial Facebook post; I had a huge amount of local businesses who were willing to contribute by either donating a raffle prize or money, and my family and friends have been so so supportive for the entire journey leading up to the day."
Aside from her personal reasons, Brooklyn also wants to raise awareness for the disease, and the people who are helping the cause to fight it.
"I feel that Bowel Cancer is such an important thing in our local community to raise awareness about, I am trying to show people in our community that there are people out there trying to do good for these causes," she said.
"Thank you to everybody who has donated; it truly means a lot, and to the Macleay netball association who let me hold the event on their grounds and supported the fundraiser from the beginning."
Topping herself next year will be hard, but the Kempsey local is ready for the challenge.
"This is the first time I have organised and held a fundraiser of any sort, especially to this scale, I will definitely be considering holding another fundraiser of some sort again," Brooklyn said.
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