The Padstow Heights’ Beauty Point Retirement Resort resident held her first morning tea at her home in Illawong in 2002 a couple of years after daughter, Ann, then 40, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Because Ann was so young, they put her on a brand new treatment trial which worked well and that treatment is now standard for everyone,” Pam said.
“Ann is a chef and cooked up a storm for her first Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser shortly after and so I started hosting my own along with my other daughter Kay who is a vet, I was just so inspired.”
Five years later Ann’s husband passed away from rare peritoneal cancer and she also lost her mother and aunt to the disease but managed to survive breast cancer herself two years ago along with a niece and nephew.
“With one in two Australians now diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, the rates are rising and we all want to change that and support the new discoveries in research and medicine being made,” she said.
“Everyone’s invited to our Biggest Morning Tea on May 11 from 10am, it’s going to be a lot of fun; last year we raised $3,795.50 and the owner here matched that amount.
“We’re also inviting businesses to donate to our giant raffle, we’re so grateful for any support we can get.
“The $10 entry fee to our event will cover tea, coffee and scones and also give you a ticket in the lucky door prize, with raffle tickets then for sale as well as some beautiful homemade arts and crafts.”
Businesses can contact Pam by emailing: pit.keath@bigpond.com or if interested in hosting your own event: biggestmorningtea.com.au.
