Cancer survivor Trina appears in campaign video ‘My Life Matters’
BREAST cancer survivor Trina Cleary of Duncormick, who appears on a new Irish Cancer Society ‘My Life Matters’ Covid-19 campaign video, is not taking any chances and is self-isolating at home, even though her oncologist has advised that her risk is not any greater than others.
‘I haven’t left the house at all, even though the risk is not any greater for me than anyone else, but after surviving cancer, I’m determined that I’m not going to be taken out by a virus’, said Trina, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2018 at the age of 34.
‘I have no visitors coming to the house. I’m keeping in contact with family and friends on social media and video calls.’
The Equifax employee, who returned to work last December following her treatment, said she is ‘blessed’ to be able to work from home. Her 13-year old son Corey was staying with his dad when the lock-down happened, and is keeping in regular contact with Trina on WhatsApp and video-audio message.
‘It’s better for him as I’m working from home and there’s more to do there’, she said.
Her mother Deirdre works in the local shop and Trina sees her every few days when she goes to buy groceries.
The poignant video posted by the Cancer Society features cancer patients and survivors from around Ireland, including the high-profile campaigner Vicki Phelan, asking people to abide by government coronavirus guidelines, in order to keep them safe.
It was highlighted on the RTE Nine O’Clock News last week, prompting a flood of messages to Trina, telling her that she was on the television.
‘Getting coronavirus could pose a very serious risk to their lives. These are the faces and names of the people you’re saving by staying home’, is the Cancer
Society message.
In the video Trina says: ‘I hope you and your family are keeping safe. I’m asking you to heed the advice and stay indoors. Only make essential journeys for your appointments, shopping or daily exercise because that’s good for your mental health. When you go out or come home from those journeys, wash your hands, because my life matters.’
Cancer is the the worst thing that has ever happened to Trina but early on, she vowed not to let it become a negative in her life and to raise awareness about self-checking and early detection.
She documented her entire journey in a blog on social media because she wanted to relay ‘the good, the bad and the ugly because breast cancer is not the pretty pink ribbon with smiling models that it is portrayed to be.’
She has continued her personal campaign by writing about her life after cancer, the experience of medical menopause and her ‘Feel it on the First’ posts, advising women to check their breasts.
‘Everyone kept telling me you’re too young to get breast cancer. Well, clearly, I wasn’t. I want to raise awareness of this and to encourage younger women to be breast aware.’
‘Young people feel invincible but they’re not. Your health is your wealth and we all need to protect our health over the next few weeks. The more people that stay at home, the quicker we’ll all get out.’
It’s not the first work that Trina has done with the Irish Cancer Society. Recently, she was asked to take over their social media account for a day, hosting a Q and A and sharing stories online.
This year, the society was forced to cancel the annual fundraising event, Daffodil Day, in order to protect the lives of patients.
Daffodil Day is the single biggest fundraising event for the charity, and has resulted in the society reaching out to the public for online donations, saying their support is more important now and ever.
People can donate on the society’s website.