Just A Word … And Life Goes On

October 1, 2015

“Cancer is a word not a sentence” … it may be a cliche, but when it comes out of the mouth of someone who recently had a mastectomy and is still smiling, the words hit home.

South Burnett councillor Ros Heit was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Almost without skipping a beat, she went into hospital, had her right breast and lymph nodes removed, and then returned to work.

She has now begun chemotherapy.

Very few people that she has run into at public functions over the past few weeks would had noticed anything was wrong, but as her treatment continues, Cr Heit knows there could be times when she will have to be an apology.

“Breast cancer affects one in eight women over their lifetime but has very good long-term outcomes with the current treatments,” she said.

“I’ve had the surgery and now I am well into my chemotherapy regime.

“I want to tell people there are good outcomes. You can cope with the treatments, you can still function.

“I’m still working as a councillor but I hope people will understand I may take a little longer to respond to residents’ concerns if it’s one of my treatment days.”

Cr Heit said her family, friends and colleagues had been very understanding and supportive during what is a very challenging and difficult time.

And she is as keen as ever to represent Division 6 again at next year’s Council poll, due in March.

“I will complete my treatment prior to next year’s Council elections,” she said.

“I enjoy the privilege and responsibility of being a councillor and I will definitely be standing again!”

Cr Heit said she also wanted to emphasise the importance of women regularly examining their breasts.

“I had a mammogram in November and it was clear,” she said.

“Eight months later I found a lump …”

She praised the Cancer Council of Queensland – the beneficiaries of Relay For Life fundraising – for their “wonderful” support.

“I’ve been involved in the Relay For Life for many years but this year will be special,” she said.

The South Burnett Regional Council has three teams entered, and Cr Heit will be among them.

“Last year they had two teams and raised more than $7000,” she said. “This year we hope to raise even more.”

Relay For Life patron Carl Rackemann is hopeful this year’s Relay, which will be held at Kingaroy Showground on October 10-11, will raise at least $150,000 in total.

This is the amount needed to push the South Burnett’s fundraising for all years to over $1 million … an amazing achievement for a small regional area.

  Council