Jacqui Holroyd, 59, has been cancer-free for almost two years and couldn't have gone through her ordeal without the support of Breast Cancer Support Service. Photo / Ruth Keber
Jacqui Holroyd, 59, has been cancer-free for almost two years and couldn't have gone through her ordeal without the support of Breast Cancer Support Service. Photo / Ruth Keber
Breast-cancer survivor Jacqui Holroyd was among the thousands of people who hit the streets for the 2014 Pink Walk last night.
Women and men of all ages gathered in Masonic Park to take part in the 2.4km annual walk around Tauranga's CBD to raise money for Breast Cancer Support Service (BCSS) Tauranga.
Walkers warmed their legs for their walk with Zumba to start the evening followed by a few minutes' silence, with several white doves released to remember those lost to breast cancer.
Ms Holroyd, who volunteered to run a stall at the event, said she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2012 after she went for her yearly mammogram. "I got a phone call back to get another scan done ... and I had two lumps, one in each breast. I was devastated, my husband's first wife also died of cancer. We were gobsmacked."
At the time, Mrs Holroyd and her husband were about to embark on a two-month tour in Europe. They were told they did not have time to spare so Mrs Holroyd started treatment straight away.
"It was a lot to absorb because I don't have a lot of family so the biggest support came from Breast Cancer Support Trust."
As soon as Mrs Holroyd was diagnosed, she was put in touch with the organisation, received the support she needed and attended her first event with them two weeks after her operation to remove the lumps from her breasts.
"Honestly, I would not have got through it without their help. Every time I felt I needed support, I got it. Listening to the other women and knowing you can survive, because you do think you could die. Nobody understand like these people. These people know exactly what you are going through and give you the answers before you ask the questions."
Mrs Holroyd has been cancer-free for almost two years and is loving life.
Breast Cancer Support Services service manager Lea Lehndorf said the walk was used to celebrate breast-cancer survivors, give support to those fighting the disease, honour those who had been taken and to raise funds to continue the work the organisation did.
"Which is supporting local women and men diagnosed with breast cancer in the Bay of Plenty," she said.
There were about 200 women in the Bay diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and one or two men, she said.
"We normally see around 150 women a year. Last year, I think we saw 159 and we offer people emotional and practical support.
"Emotionally, no one can empathise the same way as someone else who has been there and done that. We offer one-on-one buddy support who will be another survivor from their community.
"Someone who has been on the same journey and faced all the feelings and fears they are feeling right now. We can talk them through that, validate what they are feeling is quite normal and let them know they are not alone."
Mrs Lehndorf said the youngest person to come through their doors was just 24 years old and the oldest was 93.
"It doesn't discriminate but the age is the biggest risk factor ... "
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