Prior to "Aunty" Sue's diagnosis, Lisa hadn't heard much about ovarian cancer. Then Sue was diagnosed and died just 3 months later. Following Sue's death Lisa found out about the OCRF and Frocktober, an annual fundraiser for ovarian cancer research. Sue, like many women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, only discovered it in the late stages because the symptoms are very vague and there is no early detection test. While it is a cancer that is highly treatable if found early, it currently has a high mortality rate with one woman dying every 10 hours in Australia from the disease. Frocktober supports research seeking an early detection test.
Frocktober seemed a fitting tribute to the wonderful woman who was Lisa's "Aunty" Sue, not only because it raises funds for ovarian cancer research but because Sue was a talented dressmaker who had made Lisa many of her most memorable frocks.
In 2010 Lisa wore dresses for a month, raising over $2,000 but in 2011 she wanted to do something bigger. She thought that combining her love of dance with a fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation would be a great idea.
Over 100 people attended the inaugural Rock Your Frock dance fundraiser, raising over $2,500 for the OCRF. In the years that followed many hundreds enjoyed a great night of dancing and almost $10,000 was raised.
In 2015, Lisa had to pause her dancing while an injury healed so she decided to combine another of her loves, high tea and frocks and thus the Spring High Tea was born. She is determined to make the high tea a highlight of this year's Frocktober activities.
Donations can be made at Rock Your Frock on online at: https://frocktober.everydayhero.com/au/lisa
In addition to her Frocktober efforts, Lisa fundraises for the OCRF throughout the year. As an ambassador for the foundation she available to speak about ovarian cancer and the work of the OCRF. She can be contacted at l.robey(at)yahoo.com.au
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| Lisa and her sister dressed in outfits made by Sue. |
