Underwear/outerwear: Sue Calder and her sister Catherine Blackwell are encouraging people to get involved with the Melbourne Breast Cancer Bra Walk fund-raiser. Picture: Lucy Di Paolo
THESE sisters really are doing it for themselves.
Silvan resident Sue Calder and her sisters, Kim Pinker and Catherine Blackwell, are the creators of the Melbourne Breast Cancer Bra Walk fundraiser, now in its second year.
Last year, there were 300 participants and more than $18,000 raised at the inaugural 2.5 kilometre bra walk.
This year they are hoping it will be even bigger and better, with all proceeds raised from the event going to the Maroondah Breast Clinic and the Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink breast cancer support group.
The sisters came up with the fund-raising idea after Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 31 years old, back in 2007. She attended the Maroondah clinic during her treatment.
Ms Calder, "the organised one of the bunch", took charge of planning the event from scratch.
"It's a lot of hard work but due to the success of the first year we decided to do it again," she said.
"This year we want to branch out and support not just women with breast cancer but men too. We want to support the community groups that volunteer their time in helping others in need - groups that help women and men directly with dealing with cancer, groups that don't have the opportunity to receive support where needed compared with the larger organisations."
Participants are encouraged to wear pink or blue and to wear their bras on the outside.
Christine Gray of the Maroondah Breast Clinic said the fund-raising money would go towards some items on their wish list, including an impedimed machine that can screen patients who have had breast cancer surgery for lymphoedema (a chronic swelling in part of the body that occurs because of a build-up of fluid in the body's tissues).
"To be the recipient of funds means an enormous amount to us," Ms Gray said.
"Just that people would take the time and effort to fund-raise on our behalf is extraordinary. This is just the most amazing relationship to have from somebody like Kim who has a personal experience and understands how much it means to get the money."
Sponsorship from businesses for the walk are still being sought. The event is open to everyone and there will be live music on the day.
The event is on Sunday, October 21. Registration is from 10am and the walk starts at 11:30am, from Federation Square. Free buses will be transporting participants to and from Lilydale on the day. Registration is $20 per adult.
Details: melbournebreastcancerbrawalk.com.