For Irish grandmother, Anne Winslow, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled a trip to Perth and a chance to be a part of one of Western Australia’s biggest charity walks to raise funds for cancer research – a disease she knew too well.
“I’d registered with my daughter Clare, who lives in Perth, to do the Hawaiian Walk for Women’s Cancer in May but with world-wide shutdowns my trip was cancelled,” said Ms Winslow.
“Clare and I were in training to walk 35 kilometres to raise funds for cancer research at Perth’s Harry Perkin’s Institute of Medical Research, but now, in COVID-19 times the walk will definitely be in accordance with social distancing requirements as I will be walking in Ireland and Clare will walk in Perth!
“That distance should be acceptable! We will be nearly 15,000 kms apart.”
Ms Winslow says she passionately believes in the importance of supporting cancer research.
Her son-in-law works with the Perth team at the Harry Perkins Institute developing a probe for breast cancer surgeons to ensure every cancer cell is removed during surgery.
“I’m a 12 survivor of breast cancer, a high-risk category, and my brother has survived cancer of the oesophagus. We know that research has given us the best chance and are passionate supporters of further research,” she said.
“I’m grateful for every year, for every day for that matter, and now having a grandson (in Perth), well its happy days.”
When COVID-19 struck people were limited in Ireland to 2km zones so for a time Anne’s training involved some innovative loops to get in some distance.
But that did suit her walking companion – her 17-year-old terrier, Mr Bojangles.
The former CEO of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland and President of European MS, Ms Winslow can now stride out along the green hills and North County Dublin coast for longer training walks.
As a result of the pandemic, the Hawaiian Walk for Women’s Cancer has been reformatted to a personal challenge that can be completed in one walk or in a series of walks.
“I’ll probably do two 17km walks in Ireland during the Hawaiian Cancer Challenge week in September but keep fundraising for Perth cancer research. It’s such a good cause”, she said.
To support Anne fundraise for cancer research in Perth go to
https://www.walkforwomenscancer.org.au/fundraisers/annewinslow/walk-for-womens-cancer
