These sisters are doing it for themselves – and for anyone else who has been touched by breast cancer.
Joan Quigley, Pauline Ricotta and Jacqueline Vella have raised more than $135,000 for the Cancer Council over the past eight years, thanks to the roaring success of their Girls’ Night In events.
This year, more than 400 people attended a Girls’ Night In at the Luxor Function Centre in Sydenham, raising $24,100 for research into breast cancer and $1000 for men’s prostate cancer research.
The trio, and Pauline’s daughter Olivia, put on a three-course dinner, with a DJ, raffles and door prizes.
“We’ve just kept it going and every year someone asks if we’ll do it again next year,” Joan said.
Joan, of Bacchus Marsh, and her sisters started hosting Girls’ Nights In after their mother was diagnosed with, and later died from, breast cancer.
In 2011, both Joan and Pauline were also struck with the disease.
Pauline underwent a full mastectomy, while Joan had a lump removed then had radiation treatment.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Brimbank council has called on the city’s women aged 50 and over to book in for a free breast screen every two years.
Only 53 per cent of women living in Brimbank have regular breast screens, despite numerous vacancies at Sunshine BreastScreen Clinic.
Call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.org.au
