Losing her mum at a young age has given Emily Byrne a keener appreciation of life, the Bendigo resident believes.
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Emily was only 14 when her mum Sharan passed away from cancer 21 years ago, aged just 42.
She said that the loss of her mother had probably led to more gratitude for what she had and the time she could spend with her family.
Emily and husband Anthony both work part-time to be able to be with their young children Jimmy, 5, and Polly, 3, and not too long ago opened their own business.
“Our lens across life is a bit different, because ‘If not now, then when?’ is the question we always ask,” she said.
Her mum’s death also prompted Emily to engage in volunteer work: she has been an active member of the Bendigo volunteer group of Cancer Council Victoria for about 15 years now.
The group co-ordinates Daffodil Day, promotes Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, and runs other fundraising events throughout the year.
Now a mother herself, Emily said her sadness at not having her own mum around had shifted to sorrow that her mother was not able to know her grandchildren.
But she said she had a great relationship with her dad Maurice, who raised Emily and her four siblings after their mother’s death.
But while losing their mum and wife had had a profound impact on Emily’s family, she said they made a decision that cancer would not become the entire story of their lives.
They also wanted to make sure Sharan – a woman Emily said was vivacious and approachable – was remembered for more than the illness that claimed her life.
Emily said she admired her mum for raising five children.
Sharan was a hairdresser by trade, possessed a strong faith, never left the house without lipstick, and “had such a charismatic way of bringing people together”.
More than 1000 people attended her funeral, and even today people tell Emily about the impact she had on their lives. “Her life was people, and she loved people,” Emily said.
Cancer claims most years of our lives
Heart disease remains the country’s biggest killer, but it is cancer that takes away the most years of life from Australians.
A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that cancer is responsible for almost one-fifth of the health burden on the nation, calculated in terms of years of life lost due to premature death and the years of healthy life lost.
Almost 95 per cent of this burden is the result of premature death, rather than living with the disease.
The heavy impact cancer has on the nation’s health is due to deaths from cancer occurring in younger age groups than other illnesses.
Lung, bowel, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers account for almost half the cancer burden.
The report said that this year, about 47,750 people were expected to die from cancer, and about 134,000 new cases would be diagnosed.
But the report found that between 2003 and 2011, the burden of cancer decreased by 10 per cent.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
