WHEN life gives you lemons, make lemonade – that’s the motto Mornington’s Julie Cowley has chosen to live her life by.
It came about when her husband, Mark, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 54. The cancer returned six years later and has spread throughout his body.
Ms Cowley is showing her support for Mark, and to all men impacted by prostate cancer, by joining the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Sit-Up 45 challenge.
She is doing 45 sit-ups a day during Men’s Health Week (14-20 June) to raise money to support the 45 men diagnosed with the disease each day.
“We have recently been thrown lemons in this prostate cancer challenge. My husband has really struggled and, as a support partner, I didn’t know how to help in the bigger picture,” Ms Cowley said.
“Then I saw the Sit-Up 45 challenge. As an exercise lover, I loved the idea and set myself a fundraising goal. Within an hour I was in tears at the amount of support we received from friends and family.”
After raising nearly $5000 in one week, Ms Cowley is leading the Sit-Up 45 fundraiser.
“At 60 years of age and after just becoming a grandfather, Mark has a lot more living to do,” she said. “This has been a very challenging journey so far – there are great doctors and some great treatments but lots of missing links.
“This cancer desperately needs more up-to-date research and so much more support for patients. It is that simple. And this seems the only way forward.
“Sometimes the feeling of hopelessness is so overwhelming, but the Sit-Up 45 challenge is something we can all do. You can do something positive by taking part or by donating.”
To support Ms Cowley fundraising efforts visit situp45.org.au/fundraisers/juliecowley or to register for PCFA’s Sit-Up 45 challenge, visit situp45.org.au
“By doing 45 sit-ups a day during Men’s Health Week you can help raise awareness and fund vital research to prevent more deaths from prostate cancer,” the challenge’s CEO Professor Jeff Dunn said.
“We’re taking action against the disease and we need people to join us. Do this for the men you love – fathers, grandfathers, partners and sons who are at risk of this silent killer.”
Visit pcfa.org.au or call 1800 220 099.
First published in the Mornington News – 15 June 2021
