By Ava Cashmore
The Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic is a community event that attracts thousands of Australians annually to celebrate mothers day with a greater purpose. The walk/run event takes place across several locations in Australia to celebrate and remember those who have been affected by breast and ovarian cancer, and raise money for research into a cure.
At the Lillydale Lake location, Rebekah Oleskowski and her three sisters, mother and father attended with high spirits and purpose. The Oleskowski family has been deeply affected by the disease, and have been loyal attendees of the mother’s day classic for the last 18 years.
“My granny had breast cancer at the age of 40 with no history, so in support of breast cancer research, she and my mum and aunty started doing the Mother’s Day Classic. We started this family tradition three years before we lost my granny at age 62,” said Rebekah.
“Without the money raised for research in the past, we may have not had the extra 22 years with granny since her diagnosis in 1985.”
Tragedy struck again In 2021 when Rebekah’s mother was diagnosed with a “sneaky” type of breast cancer. Thankfully, she is still here today.
“Without the new technology, my mum would not have had the great outcome she has had. It’s so very important to get behind this cause, as although my mum had family history she didn’t have the BRCA gene. The treatments today found my mum’s cancer before it had a chance to spread.”
Rebekah is one of four girls who has a greater chance of cancer showing up at any time in her lifetime.
“My sisters and I feel it’s our duty to bring awareness to the support for the families. The Mothers Day Classic is an amazing opportunity to connect with your community and celebrate all the lives that have been saved and taken from us too early and help bring a stop to it!”.
For more information, please visit mothersdayclassic.com.au/event/mothers-day-classic-melbourne/home
