When Sandra de Jersey was 10 years old she watched her Mum leave every week from their small Malaysian town of Port Dickson for chemotherapy in the big city of Kuala Lumpur.
When she was 16 and living in Kuala Lumpur, she again watch her Mum being driven off in an ambulance. This time it was breast cancer. After many months of treatment, the Mum went into remission and then had to care for Sandra’s father for 10 years after he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron. He passed away at the young age of 59.
Many years later, when Sandra was celebrating the birth of her son Zack, she received the news that her mother’s cancer had returned for the third time. Her mum passed away six years later. She was 69.
“If mum had had a double mastectomy when the breast cancer first appeared, there’s a good chance she would be alive today,” Sandra said.
“There was so little information then, there wasn’t as much technology around when my mother had cancer.
“The earlier cancer is detected the better and there are now so many websites and information sources available.”
To increase cancer awareness and fundraise for Cancer Council Queensland, Sandra was inspired to hold an annual ‘Girls’ Night In’ at her Landsborough home, where friends and family gathered, usually 20 to 25 ladies.
Then in 2013, Sandra met Beautiful You founder, Debbie Clayton.
She explained, “I was associated with Caloundra Oztag, which originated the ‘Play for Renee Hour of Power’ in 2012 after a player, Renee Underhill, passed away at just 32 after her battle with cancer.
“The event raised funds for Beautiful You, a charity that supports women with cancer and their families.”
Sandra then spent time as a volunteer working in the charity’s stores and attending as many fundraising events as she could.
“Then I found myself back at work full-time and couldn’t keep up the regular weekly commitment, so I decided to concentrate on one big fundraiser a year.
“I love the clothes and accessories in the Beautiful You stores so I thought, why not showcase them through a fashion parade?”
She held the first event at The Wharf Tavern, Mooloolaba, and the second at Debbie Clayton’s home, and around 150 tickets were sold for each.
This year, Sandra’s employers Karl and Lindi Rademeyer, owners of RE/MAX First in Caloundra, have thrown their support behind the event, covering the venue cost and providing other resources.
Sandra also has the support of local businesses such as Sea Life Mooloolaba, Gurkhali Nepalese Restaurant, Café Otranto and Renaissance Hair, which provide prizes for the various fun competitions on the day.
“We have best dressed, best tie, best hat or fascinator, and even best cup and saucer.”
Sandra also has a ‘Pay it forward’ component in ticket sales for people who can’t attend but want to help.
“I started this because I had so many friends and associates who lived too far away to get to the event. They buy a ticket, which then goes to someone who might otherwise not have been able to afford it, and Debbie helps me identify the recipients, who are generally volunteers and people affected by cancer.
“I’m in the high risk category on the National Breast Cancer Registry, and each year I commit hours to having a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy.
“I’m armed with loads of information, but there are still people with low awareness levels about cancer.
“Through my fundraising, Beautiful You can continue to raise that awareness and help cancer-affected people and families as well.”
The third annual fashion show, ‘Fabulous Funky Fashion’, proudly presented by RE/MAX First and Beautiful You, is on Sunday 30th October at the Caloundra Rugby Union Club. The event starts at 1.30pm and is a High Tea. There will also be an Open Bar. Radio host from Hot FM, Sam Coward is MC and will delight the audience as he did last year. Co-host is RE/MAX First’s property manager Charlie Campbell.
Tickets are $25 and available from RE/MAX First, Caloundra Oztag, and Beautiful You shops in Maroochydore and Bokarina.
Tickets for the popular Pink October event are limited so act quickly.
Local businesses who can assist Sandra with prize items and vouchers should contact her on mobile 0438 975 045.
About Sandra de Jersey:
Sandra de Jersey is a sales and marketing professional who has been an ambassador for Beautiful You Cancer Program on the Sunshine Coast for the past four years. She gained her real estate qualifications in 2015 and joined RE/MAX First in September of that year, establishing herself as a high-achiever from the get-go.
She recently achieved the highest price for the suburb of Aroona since May, selling 4 Alexander Street for $842,000, and still holds the street record price for Tall Trees Way, Little Mountain.
Media contacts:
Sandra de Jersey, RE/MAX First – M. 0438975045 E. sandradj@remax.com.au
Lyn Cox, Public Relations – M. 0418 793 096 E. lcox@remax.com.au