The inaugural Ladies Who Lunch event on Sunday, October 29, exceeded all expectations, with 745 people taking part in the lunch at Eastbank.
Organised by the Goulburn Valley Health Foundation, the lunch was a fundraiser for women’s oncology at the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre in Shepparton.
All money raised from this year’s event will be spent in Shepparton.
It takes over from the Pink Ribbon Brunch, which was held in Shepparton for many years.
Guest speakers on the day included Goulburn Valley Health Foundation ambassador and Mooroopna resident Vicki Scott who spoke of her own journey with bowel cancer and how being able to receive treatment in Shepparton was so important to her.
Goulburn Valley Health Medical Oncology clinical director Dr Javier Torres and breast cancer nurse Melissa Gilmour also spoke at the lunch.
Singer Ella Hooper, formerly of Killing Heidi fame, entertained the crowd with songs from her new album.
She also told of how it was important to her to play a part in the day as she spoke about her mum’s breast cancer journey, which included treatment at Goulburn Valley Health and being declared in remission before it came back and eventually claimed her life.
“I give my love to anyone on that journey as a carer or who is living with cancer,” she said.
Goulburn Valley Health brand and donation officer, and one of the event organisers, Jaimee Squire was pleased with how everything went.
“It’s incredible to see it through to what it has become,” she said.
“It’s amazing to see everyone here.”
For more coverage of the event, see The News this week.