By Luke Voogt
A determined group of Geelong walkers will trek 75km for bowel cancer awareness on behalf of Barwon Downs teacher Catherine Ross.
Catherine’s sister-in-law, Belmont midwife Rosie Fitzclarence, said the walk was a show of support for a beloved friend and family member.
“We really want to rally around ‘Riney’,” the 35-year-old mother-of-two said.
“She’s thoughtful, caring (and) a beautiful (person) to be around.”
Catherine was just 28 when doctors diagnosed her with Stage III bowel cancer in 2014.
“To find out how it could affect someone so young, just blew me away,” Rosie said.
Since then Catherine endured two large operations, each time followed by six months of chemotherapy.
Her cancer spread to her other organs and she was now receiving chemotherapy for a third time.
Rosie and brother, Jamie Bell – Catherine’s husband – grew up in Wallington.
“They’re the strongest couple I know,” Rosie said. “They’ve had a lot of hard times, but their positivity and determination is incredible.“
Jamie and Rosie joined 11 walkers, most from Geelong, in team Research4Riney raising money for the Jodie Lee Foundation.
Rosie hoped they could double their number for the tough but beautiful two-day trek in Castlemaine, which begins on 8 September.
“I can’t wait,” she said. “I plan to get out and do some more hill work to prepare.”
Catherine planned to volunteer for the trek and was grateful for the team’s efforts.
“Sometimes, it’s hard for people to know how to support you,” she said.
“It means a lot that they are doing the walk on my behalf – it’s been pretty hard journey for Jamie and I.”
Both Catherine and Jamie’s mums were doing the trek, with the team’s ages ranging from 30s to 60s.
“Anyone can get cancer, even if you are young and otherwise healthy,” Catherine said. “Acting quickly on symptoms is the key to catching bowel cancer early.”
