BAKING queens Julie Marsh and Debbie Hastie have raised more than $3000 in the past month for Ovarian Cancer Australia.
The sisters hosted their third “Afternoon Teal” last Tuesday outside the family-owned bakery, Federation & Pie Co, in Blackalls Park Shopping Village.
Afternoon Teals are events organised through Ovarian Cancer Australia and are now being run by volunteers across Australia.
Julie and Debbie’s afternoon tea was filled with delights decorated in the charity’s statement colour, teal, and coincided with a month of raising awareness about the disease.
Julie and Debbie are close to the cause. Their cousin lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2010, aged 34.
“We are a close family, so it was a hard time for everyone,” Julie said.
“The idea to host Afternoon Teals came from wanting to contribute something to the cause.”
According to Ovarian Cancer Australia, 1400 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year and more than 1000 will die from the disease.
Like most diseases, the symptoms are often difficult to detect but include abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating, the need to urinate often and feeling full after eating a small amount.
Julie and Debbie began their own research into ovarian cancer when their cousin was diagnosed, and they were shocked by the lack of an early detection system for the cancer.
“It is so easy to miss the early signs, and the symptoms could easily be attributed to something else,” Julie said.
“We want to raise money for research, but we feel the most crucial part of our effort is raising awareness.”
It initially began as a one-off, but the Afternoon Teals have expanded every year, and the pair also host regular movie nights at Event Cinemas Glendale.
“Last week’s tea raised $1885 and the proceeds of our last movie night totalled $1400 for the charity,” Julie said.
Ovarian Cancer Australia has now benefited from 340 Afternoon Teals hosted around Australia, with the money donated going towards research, awareness and support projects.
Debbie said the best thing about the events was the community’s contribution.
“Prizes are donated, even small things like coffee and scones,” she said. “We just enjoy seeing everyone together.”
Julie doesn’t consider their fund-raising efforts heroic.
“Ovarian Cancer Australia is researching early detection methods, which is something that will save lives,” Julie said.
“That is pretty amazing.”
The sisters’ fund-raising efforts are being acknowledged on Saturday at Newcastle’s Biggest High Tea at Wests New Lambton, where the proceeds from ticket sales and raffles will be donated to Ovarian Cancer Australia.
Newcastle’s Biggest High Tea starts at 1.30pm in the Starlight Room and will be hosted by Natasha Beyersdorf.
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