IT came as a shock to Maree Cribbes when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
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She had no family history of the disease, nor any related risk factors such as smoking or an unhealthy lifestyle, and she had breast-fed her three children, aged eight, six and four at the time of her diagnosis.
Yesterday, Ms Cribbes told 170 women at the annual Pink Ribbon Ladies Luncheon they should not believe breast cancer was a disease “that can’t happen to me”.
She said her husband had been insistent she see a doctor when she had noticed a change in her breast.
Soon after, she was involved in a six-month treatment regime that included the removal of a lump followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, all delivered on the Border.
“I was very lucky, there were others undergoing treatment at the same time who had to travel,” Ms Cribbes said.
She is now recovered and back at work as the principal of the Huon campus at the Wodonga Middle Years College.
“It helps you put in perspective what’s important,” she said.
Yesterday’s lunch was the sixth organised by the Community Crew @ Albury.
Committee spokeswoman Kellie Kadaoui said while there was a serious note to yesterday’s gathering, it was also about keeping it light as a celebration.
“What we love about this is that apart from the speakers’ messages, we want women to dress up and have a ball.
“To date we have raised more than $90,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and there are now a lot more events for Breast Cancer Month,” she said.
Ms Kadaoui said organisers were hoping to raise $20,000 from the lunch and associated raffles and auction.
