Sarah Withyman, a breast cancer survivor, is using her personal journey to raise awareness during the NRLW Magic Round at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. The event, taking place on Saturday, aims to support the Newcastle-based organization, Breast Cancer Trials, which is dedicated to improving treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients.
Withyman’s journey began in June 2021, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, the diagnosis came as a shock. “To this day I’m bewildered by it. I was the healthiest and fittest I’d been in my life,” she stated. Her path to diagnosis was marked by what she describes as “woo-woo kind of stuff,” stemming from a chance encounter with a woman named Belinda during a family holiday. Belinda, a breast cancer patient, encouraged Withyman to have a lump on her breast checked.
Without this intervention, Withyman believes she might not have received the diagnosis in time. The lump turned out to be related to shingles, but a subsequent mammogram and ultrasound revealed a tiny, aggressive tumor that was not initially associated with the lump. “It was caught extremely early,” she noted.
Following her diagnosis, Withyman opted for four rounds of chemotherapy and underwent a double mastectomy. “I had a double mastectomy to seal the deal,” she explained. Despite the challenges of recovery, she now lives with breast implants after undergoing reconstruction. While she expressed dissatisfaction with the implants, she noted, “They look all right, but I don’t like the feel of them.”
Reflecting on her experience, Withyman emphasized a shift in her outlook on life. Now 42, she engages in activities she previously avoided. “I do crazy things I wish I did when I was 20. I’m just like, ‘f–k it, I could die,'” she shared. This newfound perspective has led her to participate in a triathlon and swim 20 kilometers, raising $3,000 for Breast Cancer Trials along the way.
Withyman attributes her strength to a positive mindset throughout her ordeal. “Some people give up and think ‘poor me.’ I’ve always been quite strong-minded. That helped massively,” she stated. Her enthusiasm for life has also extended to surf boat rowing, a pursuit she describes as “so out of my comfort zone.”
The NRLW Magic Round, occurring over the weekend, features six NRLW games. Karen Price, CEO of Breast Cancer Trials, highlighted the importance of the event in raising awareness about clinical trials. “Women participating in our clinical trials today, and those diagnosed in the future, will benefit from advances made possible by our work,” Price stated. The organization focuses on improving treatments, increasing survival rates, and preventing cancer recurrence.
Withyman’s story stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Her active participation in events like the NRLW Magic Round not only supports a vital cause but also inspires others to confront their challenges with bravery and determination. For more information about Breast Cancer Trials, visit tacklebreastcancer.com.au.
