Cancer battle spurs inspiring Mooloolah calendar project

Misty Bland and her Vintage Calendar Girls calendarBy Richard BruinsmaThere’s a courageous and motivating story behind the sale in Mooloolah of the Vintage Calendar Girls calendars for next year.The girls featured in the softly risqué 2016 calendar are all locals gym friends of Mount Mellum resident Misty Bland, whose husband Rob was misdiagnosed with cancer several years ago and now faces an uncertain future.Misty decided she wanted to create the cheeky calendar to give her a distraction from the family’s situation as well as to raise money for research and treatments for those suffering rare cancers.“If I can have some focus and raise some money and awareness, it might help another family going through what we’re going through,” Mrs Bland said.The models in the calendar are ordinary locals who just wanted to help their friends and help the cause.“It’s something we are all very proud of,” Mrs Bland said.“Some of them were a little happier than others to bare a little flesh, but it’s tasteful.”Misty’s husband was diagnosed with Clear Cell Carcinoma in 2010, but when the cancer returned in 2013 they were advised that the original diagnosis was faulty and he actually had Chordoma.The cancer led to surgery to have his T10 vertebrae and some back nerves removed and it has since spread to other vertebra.The treatment has impacted his ability to play with his children, go fishing and go four-wheel-driving as the family once enjoyed.“It’s not a good outlook, but he’s made his peace with passing away,” Mrs Bland said courageously.She hopes their experiences will encourage others.The 2016 Vintage Calendar Girls calendar is now on sale for $15 from various locations in Mooloolah, including Maximise Health and Fitness, Maple 3 Café, Fig Tree Medical, as well as Feed and Fodder Beerwah and AutObarn Kawana, and various other venues, or from the Facebook site, Vintage Calendar Girls.Check the Vintage Calendar Girls Facebook site for other retail sites.The first 2000 calendars were printed for free, and already sales have raised around $9500 for research and treatment for those with rare cancers.