My friend Donna.

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I have a friend named Donna. We’ve never met, but I feel like I’ve known her forever.

She has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known, and strength beyond any man I’ve ever met.

My friend Donna has cancer. Not one type of cancer, but four. Because cancer works in wicked ways that I’ll never quite understand.

I’ve watched over the past year as Donna has fought that dirty cancer every single day. She gets up and battles. Rarely does she complains. It’s just part of her life. An unwelcome, tiresome battle that knocks her down each day in it’s own relentless way, but she gets back up again. Every single time.

Early one morning, so many years ago, I was watching one the American morning TV shows. One of the hosts had just battled cancer and won. Hurrah. Take that cancer. They interviewed her and she mentioned that her favourite people in the world are those that have fought cancer and won. The survivors. They’ve got an appreciation for life unlike anyone else. They’ve done the very hard yards and have come out the other side, only to embrace life and everything it beholds. They live every single day of their lives. That’s inspiring.

Right now Donna is a fighter, and soon she’ll be a survivor. We’ve been counting down the days until her treatment is over for the year. It was supposed to be around the same time I gave birth, so we planned to celebrate together. We’ve been talking of popping open a bottle of champers in unison, she’ll drink the bubbles in her home in Melbourne and I’ll do the same in my home in Northern NSW. Together we’ll celebrate. I’m vowing not to touch the bubbles until that day.

I have a friend named Donna. She has cancer. I wish that I could take the pain away. I wish that even if for one day she could have her health back to normal so she could run with her grand-kids, dance like no one is watching and explore the world as her heart beckons to. I wish that the cancers would bugger off. I wish that I could spend a day with Donna, to hug her, chat with her and offer some of that love back that she’s constantly sent my way over the past year.

YELLOW-BREAK

Donna, you are one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever known. I’m so glad we met through Photo A Day. I look forward to raising a glass of bubbles with you. Because, screw cancer. You’re a survivor. And one of the most inspiring people I know.

Today everyone is sharing photos of all things pink for photo a day to bring awareness to cancer, particularly breast cancer. Even if you’re not playing along with photo a day – why not donate some money here and take a photo of something pink too?

40 thoughts on “My friend Donna.”

    • Donna is like a mother to me, I have lost both my mother and my grandmother (who raised me) to cancer and each day I am so grateful that my beautiful Donna is doing her best to fight cancer’s butt! She is a true inspiration to me and when i whinge and complain about the trivial things in my life she always has encouraging and supportive words for me. It always makes me feel silly for complaining when there are those special people who are fighting things bigger than i may ever have to fight. Donna you are my strength, I love you with my whole heart!

  4. Go Donna! I only fought one type of cancer so I can’t imagine what it’s like to battle four. The best to you in your fight!

  6. Chantelle you have an amazing way with words. Strength to your friend Donna. Enjoy the bubbles, both of you!!

  7. Donna is a friend I met through fms and photo a day. I’m always amazed and inspired by her, she is a survivor! She is my hero and I adore her photos! When the big day comes i will pop open a bottle too and from the other side of the world wish Donna a life full of love and laughter and full of all she ever dreamed of! I saw a great tshirt the other day that said fcuk cancer! Exactly! Xx

  10. I’m sitting here crying as I’ve spent all day thinking about how Cancer has just unwantedly marched into my Life. It taken something from me, everything is just a blur, I could hit a brick wall and not feel it. You can’t get back the life you had before you knew someone you love so so darn much has Cancer.
    Good on you Donna! I hope my Dad can fight his Cancer to! x

  11. Donna is my Sister and everyday I appreciate everything that she has done for me to keep me on the right path of life, I am so proud of her and look up to her as an incredible inspiration…shes gutsy and determined and I love her with all my heart ♥♥♥♥

  13. I’m a little bit overwhelmed by this but can’t tell you how much it means. m really just a ordinary girl in an extraordinary fight and have 2 choices, fight or surrender! I chose to fight at the start and will continue! Those bottles will be well and truly chilled Chantelle but we WILL be popping those corks soon my darling

  14. Donna is like a mother to me, I have lost both my mother and my
    grandmother (who raised me) to cancer and each day I am so grateful that
    my beautiful Donna is doing her best to fight cancer’s butt! She is a
    true inspiration to me and when i whinge and complain about the trivial
    things in my life she always has encouraging and supportive words for
    me. It always makes me feel silly for complaining when there are those
    special people who are fighting things bigger than i may ever have to
    fight. Donna you are my strength, I love you with my whole heart. xox

  15. Oh hun this hit right home! My friend has cancer too, unfortunately she was given the news that her days are numbered and I am really struggling with that! I raise money regularly for cancer charities, and I love hearing about people who survive this nasty disease! Love to Donna and you x

  16. Donna is an inspiration to so many people. I too have cancer and look up to her and how she continues to face the day to day challenges of this dreadful disease. I look forward to the day we can open the champagne to celebrate her finishing her chemotherapy.

  17. Beautiful! I too have not met Donna personally, but she is the most amazing person I know and she inspires me everyday to be a better person, to enjoy life and to fight for your life with everything you’ve got.
    You truly are an inspiration Donna xx

  18. I have a friend named Sheree. She is just like Donna, and inspires me every day. She maybe have months, she may have years, but she will not see her 2 boys grow into men. I wish I could take her pain away, too. My thoughts are with your friend, Donna, and all who love her. x Aroha

  19. Donna is my mum… I know how much the support she gets from her ever growing online community means to her and I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Although she doesn’t always believe it hereself, she has been more than I could ever ask for in a mother. She has always been there for me regardless of what was happening in her world. If not for my mum I wouldn’t have done anything after high school, but instead now can see the end of a masters at the uni of melb in my sights. She has guided me through my life from day 1, through a rough spot when I was a bub, and has not missed a beat since, no matter of her treatments. Thank you for everything mu., you helped me become the man I am and between you and dad, I know that I owe you everything.

  23. I thought battling one cancer was tough, I can’t imagine having four! Love, loved ones and positive energy are great healers and I’m pleased to see Donna has lots of all 3. I’m hoping it won’t be too long before you pop those corks. Go Donna!

  24. I’m thinking about my mum who wanted to be a survivor but she never became one of them. For my shining star in the sky…

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