Mary-anne Hamilton, Dianne Schreuder, Henk Kraan, Margaret Gregson, and Willy Kraan prepare for this year’s Big Morning Tea. 30590Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Lia Bichel
A CLYDE woman said she knows first-hand the benefits of cancer research and is hoping people support the cause on 28 May.
Fifty-nine-year old Dianne Schreuder has been organising the Big Morning Tea for with the help of close friends and family for the past five years in an effort to raise money for cancer research.
She said the event was attracting so many people that this year, the group had to change venues.
“Last year we had it at the Cardinia Recreation Reserve, but we didn’t have enough seats and couldn’t fit any more people in the hall, so this year we are having it a Tooradin Community Hall,” she said.
“I am absolutely flabbergasted by the support we have received.”
The group of women spend half a year preparing for the event, gathering donated items for the auctions, and sewing items for prizes.
Ms Schreuder, who is currently battling kidney cancer, said the event was extremely important to cancer patients.
“The money goes to research, and I know the research is working,” she said.
Five years ago I was told I had three months to live and there was no medication, but I survived. Now my cancer has come back and I have two sorts of medication, so I know that research is happening.”
Ms Schreuder said her brother was also diagnosed with cancer when he was 16 and told he would not live past the age of 20. He is now 45.
“Every donation we receive on that day will go directly towards cancer research,” Ms Schreuder said
Everyone is encouraged to attend the Big Morning Tea, which begins at 11am and ends at 2pm.
