In 2020, the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation donated an incredible $900K to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), largely thanks to the continued support of MDC fundraisers. This year has been challenging to say the least, but the Mother’s Day Classic community was as determined as ever to get active for breast cancer in their own way.
Mother’s Day Classic ambassador Amy Muscat participated in her first Mother’s Day Classic event in 2014, shortly after her mum Melissa was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
“That first year that I participated mum had been told that because she was young and healthy, she had a fighting chance. So, I participated in MDC to show her my support, and she showed me her support by meeting me at the finish line”.
In 2015, Amy’s family received the news that Melissa’s secondary cancer had developed and that she had approximately 12 months to live. As the 2016 MDC drew closer, Amy’s mum’s body became sicker.
“She fought with everything she had, hoping she could see me in a pink tutu. On 13 April 2016, my mum passed away surrounded by family in her home.”
With the love and support of her family and friends, Amy participated in the 2016 Mother’s Day Classic in Team Melissa McBride, joined by 80 team members who all wore a pink tutu in honour of Melissa. Since that day, Amy has committed to participating in the Mother’s Day Classic every year while wearing her pink tutu and raising vital funds.
In her first year, Amy raised $3,500 for breast cancer research and has continued to fundraise every year in support of a cause close to her heart. This year, Amy reached a special milestone with her total donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation reaching $25,000. Amy now joins a special group of fundraisers who have reached this milestone with her incredible donation helping researchers to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent breast cancer
“I was so amazed to hear that I had reached this milestone. At the end of the day, it is my family and friends who have helped me get here. We are all doing it for mum, and they know how important it is to me”
This year was Amy’s first Mother’s Day Classic as a mum. Although she wasn’t able to attend the Melbourne Mother’s Day Classic event, spending the day in her own way was just as special. In her pink tutu, Amy drove to the cemetery with her husband and seven-month-old son Levi where they were able to be close to Amy’s mum. They carried their medals and were able to share the moment with Melissa in the beautiful Melbourne sunshine.
This year has proved many challenges, but it hasn’t taken away from the special Mother’s Day Classic tradition for families around Australia. The Mother’s Day Classic provides an opportunity for us to honour and celebrate those who affected by breast cancer as well as a platform for Australians to raise life-saving funds.
Thank you to Amy and all MDC fundraisers this year who kept the Mother’s Day Classic tradition alive by walking, running and fundraising for breast cancer research. Every dollar helps us get closer to a world without breast cancer.
