Story of Hope: Jennifer Reid’s Journey through Cancer and Triumph
In May 2009, at just 39, Jennifer Reid received a devastating diagnosis: breast cancer. Despite no family history, she faced this challenge with resilience. Determined to cherish life, she embraced each moment post-diagnosis, dreaming big and defying limitations. Her journey culminated in the 2012 Paris Marathon, where she raised $20,000 for breast cancer research, honoring fellow survivor Sam Naudin’s legacy: “Never, ever give up.” Jennifer’s story epitomizes hope, inspiring others to support causes close to their hearts. Her advocacy for the National Breast Cancer Foundation reflects her belief in a future free from breast cancer, echoing her mantra: “I will never, ever give up!”
The famous last words of the doctor as I left her office for an ultrasound – a routine test that soon turned my world upside down.
In May 2009, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, at just 39 years of age. I was otherwise fit and healthy, with no direct family history of breast cancer.
Four years on and I’m still here though. Cancer is not going to win and I plan on being here for a long, long time to come…to watch my kids grow up and get married, to hug my grand babies, and to grow old gracefully with my gorgeous husband.
There is one great thing about having to face the reality of my own mortality – that is, I now cherish my life and every moment I breathe, much more than I ever did before cancer. I now dream big and don’t apologise for it, and believe great things about my future and my destiny!
On the 15th April 2012, I participated in the Paris Marathon, raising over $20,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). I wanted something ‘big’ to mark the beginning of the rest of my life after cancer. My cancer experience taught me a great deal about myself, but one important lesson is to believe that ‘anything is possible’. I had never been the athletic type, and actually have a permanent ankle injury, so was told I could never run a marathon. But never tell me I can’t do something. Maybe I couldn’t run a marathon, but who said I couldn’t walk it?! Although it took me nine hours, I made it to the finish line that day and have a shiny medal to prove it.
At 5am on the morning of the marathon, I arrived at the hotel to meet the rest of the Australian team. I was filled with mixed emotions, as we waited to board the bus for the starting line at the Champs Elysees. Everyone was excited about running 42kms through the magical city of Paris, but I was emotionally distraught. I didn’t think I could share what I was feeling with anyone, as I thought they wouldn’t understand.
As I stood in the middle of two newfound friends for a photo, my mixed emotions had me pondering two things – a motto of hope for my life and a question of my life’s destiny. If you look closely, you will see my red nose, as I struggle to hold back tears behind my dark sunglasses.
Nadia, who is on my right, holds a bag with words written on it – “Remember Sam Naudin: Never, ever give up!”
Sam was a breast cancer survivor, an Aussie team mate, who was supposed to run the marathon with us that day. These are her words that she shared from her website, as an athlete, a motivational coach, and a breast cancer survivor.
Sam and I had communicated via a private ‘Paris Marathon’ Facebook group in the weeks leading up to the marathon. Being breast cancer survivors, we had a special connection, and we couldn’t wait to meet in Paris.
Sadly though, I never got to meet Sam. A few short weeks before the Paris Marathon, Sam Naudin died from a secondary breast cancer in her liver, leaving behind two small children and a huge void in the world.
Sam left a wonderful legacy for us all though…a motto that will stay with me forever. On the orange bag is Sam’s motto, “Never, ever give up!” – this is her legacy.
I was emotionally distraught that morning, as I couldn’t help but think of Sam. I was grateful beyond words that I had made it to Paris. Grateful that cancer had not stolen the opportunity from me, as it had from Sam. Although I felt triumphant, my heart was saddened – sad for Sam and her loved ones. Sad she never got to run the marathon that day. Sad that her life was snatched away much too early. Sad that there are still people dying from breast cancer.
So that day, I trudged the marathon for Sam. I walked for all those, like Sam, who have unfairly lost their lives to this dreaded disease. I did my best to “never, ever give up”, even when I wanted to. I made the decision from that day that I would live by Sam’s motto for the rest of my life.
I will never give up on my dreams, in telling my story, in encouraging people to give to breast cancer research or whatever charity they believe in and choose to support. The aim of NBCF researchers is for “zero breast cancer deaths by 2030”, so this is my charity of choice because it gives me hope for my future.
A bright future is my destiny. I believe ‘destiny’ was signified by my dear friend Carol that morning, who is standing on my left. Carol was also running for the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the Paris Marathon, as she had lost a close friend to breast cancer a few years earlier. We always say it was ‘destiny’ that brought us together. Cancer and death were not my destiny that day. It was the Paris Marathon that was my destiny that day. A longer and greater life is my destiny today. A life filled with dreams coming to fruition is my destiny. Spending a lifetime with the people I love is my destiny. Hope is my destiny.
I will never, ever give up! I implore you to do the same.
In addition to being a children’s writer, Jennifer Reid is a wife and mum of two children, a primary school teacher, NBCF Ambassador, a dreamer and a traveller. Because she believes in “living life to the full”, many of her stories focus on positivity and looking for the good in every situation. When she is not writing picture books, she is being silly with her kids, spoiling her husband, or dreaming of her next travel adventure. She is also writing a novel based on the life of her immigrant parents. In her previous life, she worked in radio, was a Business Banking Manager and a successful Beauty Salon Owner. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, she quickly decided that life was too short not to pursue her true passions. Jennifer holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Sydney and a Diploma of Education from Wesley Institute, Sydney. She is a member of the NSW Writer’s Centre and the NSW Institute of Teachers. She has her first children’s picture book manuscript, based on her cancer experience, ready and waiting to be published.
