Danielle’s reason to Relay

Like so many South Australian Relay For Life participants, Coulta local Danielle Morgan has chosen to step out in 2020 to celebrate, remember and fight back for a cause close to her heart. For Danielle, signing up to join the Relay Your Way 28km Challenge was all about finding a way to give back following an unexpected and shocking personal cancer diagnosis back in 2018.

In September 2018, I found a hard lump in my right breast and knew I had to get it checked out right away.

I had so many tests in the weeks to follow—CT scan, mammograms, endless blood tests, ultrasounds and biopsies.

Then, on 29 October, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. In that moment, my whole world was rocked and turned upside down.

After an MRI, three more cancers were found which made five in total and they were all aggressive. Most shockingly, they also discovered that I had an ovarian tumour, which at that stage was the size of a small football and weighed over 4kgs. It came as a complete shock.

A month later, I had my operation at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. I had a bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy – waking up a whole 6kgs lighter!

The following five months were filled with chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy. After all that, I returned home to my family, friends and community whose positivity and support really helped me through my treatment and recovery.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our awesome friends, family and community. Without that, I’m not sure if we would have got through it all.

And it is because of the wonderful community support I received that I made the decision to give back by taking part in the Relay Your Way 28km Challenge.

I know that there are many in our community who have been impacted by cancer, which is why events like Relay Your Way are so important, especially after and incredibly hard year.

I’ve been working hard to complete my 28km exercise goal and fundraise for Cancer Council SA because I know just how challenging cancer can be. But, I also know that there is a light at the other end.

Organisations like Cancer Council SA are so vital in supporting people through a cancer diagnosis, which is why I’m passionate about taking part in Relay to give back. Because, if I can help others through my experience, then it’s all worth it.

The Relay Your Way 28km Challenge is a new way for the South Australian community to Relay during COVID-19. All you need to do is register as an individual or as part of a team, set your 28km goal and complete it in your own time—over a day, a week, a month—it’s up to you!

Participants can also dedicate their Relay to a loved one who is currently going through cancer treatment, those who have survived, or loved ones who have lost their life.

All the money raised through the Relay Your Way 28km Challenge will enable Cancer Council to fund research, prevention, advocacy and support services for all South Australians impacted by cancer.