Leonie faces fear of heights in determined cancer fundraising fight

By Richard BruinsmaLeonie Brewer is grateful every day.She is grateful for her supportive and loving husband Peter and their five wonderful children, and she can’t help but smile when she talks about her two grandchildren.The long term Palmwoods local loves her church and her work, she has a nice home, and has a network of encouraging and supportive friends.Oh, and by the way, she also happens to have breast cancer. For the second time.Leonie and Peter have long been active in community and church circles, always willing to serve those in the congregation, and are recognised as stable and caring citizens ready to help others in need.And now, as the couple experiences the physical and emotional ups and downs that accompanies any cancer diagnoses, Leonie is seeking community help to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia and its vital work.In return, she’ll face her extreme fear of heights and “be pushed” out of a perfectly good plane, to parachute back down to earth.Her “Brave for BCNA” jump aims to draw attention to the courageous fight endured by all breast cancers suffers, but also to make a personal statement about overcoming fear and conquering hardship.Leonie was first diagnosed with cancer five years ago after noticing a lump under her arm after her morning swim at Palmwoods Pool.“I felt like I was hit in the head with a hammer,” is how she bluntly described the diagnosis.“I was in shock.”After undergoing surgery and the subsequent courses of chemotherapy and radiation, she was recently coming up to a significant milestone - her five year check-up - where she hoped to be given the all-clear by her doctor.Instead, she was given news she didn’t want to hear. The cancer had returned.First time around, Leonie was determined not to accept the label of cancer sufferer and decided to endure the fight without outside organisational support, but this second time is different.“I wanted to change my focus from what I am going through towards an organisation that I know is doing a good job,” she explained.“So many women are affected by this, and I want to give back.”It’s not the only life view that has changed due to her health ordeal. Her journey has also reshaped what was a blasé attitude toward birthday parties and other life milestones.“I love celebrations now, because to me it’s celebrating life.”Leonie aims to add value to her fight by aiming to reach her personal fundraising goal of $3500 as soon as she can.“I have targets in my life that I want to reach, and so I want to reach this target as well,” she said.“I need to have goals and distractions to help get me through this difficult time.”As for the skydiving, as frightening as it is, she can again look to Peter for inspiration after he did a jump earlier this year for his birthday.“I’m actually rally scared of heights, but now I’ve signed up to do this,” Leonie said.“It’s about facing your fears.“I want to do a journey that is inspirational, not through a natural strength, but for others to see God through me.“I have a good network of friends who really encourage me.“I have a bit of a journey on my hands and I just love the messages of support.”To learn more about the Brave for BCNA campaign, visit www.bcna.org.auTo donate to Leonie’s efforts, visit: http://braveforbcna.gofundraise.com.au/page/LeonieBrewerPHOTO: Palmwoods resident Leonie Brewer is preparing to skydive to raise money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.