Nine people each day lose their life to breast cancer in Australia alone. That's around 3,200 each year. And 50 Australians a day will be newly diagnosed with the disease. More research is the only way to prevent so many of our wives, partners, daughters and mums being taken from us far too soon.
Judy Saunders was taken from her twin sons at just 54 years young. She was taken from her husband and soul mate, Steve. She was taken from her parents Len and Madge. She was taken so young from so many, killed by Metastatic Breast Cancer.
Always bright, always beaming a huge red lipsticked smile, always selfless, always loving and always caring, losing her has touched the hearts of so many who adored her.
Connie Johnson, the sister of actor Samuel Johnson (The Secret Life of Us, Rush and Molly), was also killed by Metastatic Breast Cancer. The pair established the Love Your Sister Foundation in direct support of cancer research, which in the years before Connie's ultimate death, and in the one year since, have raised a staggering $7 million with 100% of those funds flowing to research.
Samuel and Connie Johnson’s Love Your Sister campaign has mobilised communities across Australia, and also set a world record for the longest distance travelled on a unicycle (by Sam). Funds raised by Love Your Sister support Garvan’s cancer research through the Connie Johnson Lab in Breast Cancer Research.
It was understandably Judy's favourite cause. "Awareness is good, but research fixes shit." - Judy.
Judy was also a 'petrol head', loving fast cars, special cars, and her own over-powered fast and special BMW wagon. So Steve's work colleagues, who race a clapped-out souped-up BMW in an annual charity event, The 24-Hours of Lemons Oz, this year have chosen as their charity to also support Love Your Sister. A perfect rev-head tribute. May car number 318 reign, and its engine mounts hold.
https://www.facebook.com/24HoursofLemonsAustralia/
This MyCause page was started by her Victoria Police work colleagues prior to her death, after their inquiries about how they could best support Jude were met with a selfless: "Donate to Love Your Sister so we can fix this for others, and hopefully me." Truly a selfless human being. Her cause was then embraced by Judy's past Ansett Airlines colleagues, her family and friends..
Please help us to fulfil Judy’s wish. Every donation, however small or big will have a brilliant impact on saving lives through research.
The journey that Judy travelled with cancer was proudly captured by Steve in their blog at https://www.map59.com/
On her birthday, Instead of presents Molly asked her friends to donate the equivalent value of a present so she could give to cancer research. Even though she can’t get back her beloved Aunty Doody she can help to make sure no other girls loose there Aunty to this horrible disease.