The 2024 International Women’s Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-Ray, made history as the largest event yet, with a record-breaking 23,000 participants hitting the streets of Brisbane. Among the thousands of runners, breast cancer survivors Anna Finlayson and Anna Holland, hailing from Chelmer and Riverhills respectively, stood out as inspiring symbols of resilience and hope.
Ms Finlayson, a Chelmer mother-of-two, inspired her peers from The Outdoor Club Graceville to join the Sea of Pink after receiving a shocking breast cancer diagnosis last year. Despite facing three surgeries, including a mastectomy, Ms Finlayson’s courage and determination have rallied her community behind the cause.
Ms Holland, a teacher at Jamboree Heights State School, is marking her five-year milestone since being diagnosed with stage two HER2-positive breast cancer. Despite the challenges she has faced, including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, Mrs Holland remains an embodiment of resilience. Her participation in this year’s Fun Run symbolises not only her triumph but also a celebration of hope and survival for all affected by breast cancer.
Organised by Mater Foundation, the International Women’s Day Fun Run, held on Saturday 10 March 2024, garnered unprecedented demand, selling out in 25 days despite expanding its capacity by 3000 spots.
The overwhelming response to the 2024 Fun Run underscored the event’s significance in the hearts of Queenslanders. Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas emphasised the importance of community participation in supporting breast cancer research and patient care.
With the option for virtual participation, individuals across the state were also able to join the Sea of Pink and contribute to the cause from their neighbourhoods.
Funds from the event will be used for life-saving breast cancer research and vital support services for patients at Mater hospitals across Queensland.
From Brisbane to Bundaberg, every step taken in the Fun Run brings hope and support to those affected by breast cancer.
