Morning tea takes on new meaning
Cancer survivor Di Lawlor leads 17th Cruise for Cancer Harley run We live here ‘cos we love it!
FOR years Di Lawlor has supported Cancer Council Queensland through holding such events as the Biggest Morning Tea.
This year that support was closer to home.
“We hosted the Biggest Morning Tea not knowing that one day it would become more personal,” Ms Lawlor explained.
“I was diagnosed 11 months’ ago and had the operation in November.”
A resident of Pratten, between Allora and Leyburn, Ms Lawlor had to have follow up treatment in Toowoomba and so she moved into Olive McMahon Lodge in January.
A keen art lover, Ms Lawlor turned a hallway of the lodge into a temporary art studio.
“I took over the hallway with garden ornaments,” she laughed.
“We have a ‘Gnome Town’ in our garden at home in Pratten and I love painting ornaments, I do it a particular way.
“Being able to paint while receiving treatment really helped me. It was relaxing to come back to the lodge and do some painting and everyone at the lodge enjoyed it too.
“I couldn’t just sit there for four weeks and do nothing.”
Ms Lawlor praised Olive McMahon Lodge staff.
“The staff were wonderful, they helped me relax and took away a lot of the stress of the treatment,” she said.
“They made us feel so much at home. And the drivers too were great; they drove us to and from treatment each day but they kept us amused and positive.
“It’s important to stay positive and remind yourself that ‘I’m going to get through this’.”
Ms Lawlor’s partner Kalen Sargeant was also of great help, keeping her positive.
“She lost her sister to cancer. “We all have some connection to the bloody big C but it’s not a sentence anymore.”
Ms Lawlor is this year’s Cruise for Cancer ambassador.
Now in its 17th year, Cruise for Cancer is a joint initiative of HOGS (Darling Downs Harley Owners Group) and the Rotary Club of Toowoomba City.
In its 17 years, the cruise has raised almost $300,000 and Sunday’s return trip from Toowoomba to Haden, where the Haden Hall Association provided morning tea spread, attracted 130 participants on more than 80 Harleys and support buses.
“When I was asked to be the ambassador I was so honoured,” Ms Lawlor said.
“I used to own motorbikes in my youth.
“It was nice to be a pillion passenger and relax on the ride.
“When I was told that the first $10,000 raised was going to Olive McMahon Lodge I was very happy.
“I’d do anything for the lodge.”