Australind mum spreads word on her cancer fight

An Australind mother spoke to her son’s schoolmates about her battle with breast cancer in an effort to raise awareness and funding for the treatment of the disease last week.

Nat Olsen was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 35 and will soon undergo her second single mastectomy.

Mrs Olsen’s son Bailey is on the student executive at Kingston Primary and approached the school about holding a fundraiser to benefit Solariscare South West.

Principal Alan Kidd said the school jumped at the opportunity to get behind one of its students.

“We’ve had fundraisers for cancer before but this is the first time we have specifically targeted breast cancer,” he said.

“Bailey’s mates have been to his house and seen his mum with no hair and at various stages of treatment, so when we found out she’d like to share her story we thought it was a great idea.

“Nat and her friend Kristy Standring, who has also had breast cancer, spoke to our Year 6s and 7s on Friday last week and on Tuesday we held a Pink Day where students were allowed to wear colours for a gold coin donation.”

Mrs Olsen spoke about the importance of being vigilant and having regular check-ups.

“The main point I wanted to get across is that breast cancer is not a disease that only affects over 50s,” she said.

“I was one of those people who thought it would never happen to them and because of that I was diagnosed late, which has caused some complications.

“The kids seemed really interested in the topic and asked some great questions.

“I hope they all left the talk a little bit more knowledgeable about the disease.”