A Bunbury breast cancer survivor, wife, mother and teacher is heading to Spain in May to walk more than 100km along the El Camino Trail between Sarria and Santiago de Compostela.
Leah Rando-Poller will spend eight days trekking through Spain with 13 other Australian women to raise much needed funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australian.
“Being a part of something that is much greater than myself is an essential component of my personal journey and essentially healing, not just the physical, but the psychological trauma as well,” she said.
“Being able to give back to the BCNA community who have been such an overwhelming support through my recovery, since my diagnosis in 2013, is what makes this experience so rewarding.
The only Western Australian to be taking part in the trek, Ms Rando-Poller is now back to full health and said she felt her diagnosis had changed her view on life.
“I really don’t think I would be same person now if I hadn’t gone through what I did, it really changed me,” she said.
“I do plan on compiling a book on my journey, I’ll be honouring people who have gone before us in breast cancer, whether it’s past or present.
“People can buy a space on my shirt for their name and then I’ll interview the people they are nominating, find out more about that person and put that in the book – I’ll honour them on my walk.”
With a goal to raise $4000 for BCNA, Ms Rando-Poller said she hoped the community would get behind her.
“It’s the financial support that I need to raise to do this, either through corporate or personal sponsorship,” she said.
“I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and taking on one of the biggest challenges of my life to give back to a cause that helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life.
“BCNA is doing extraordinary things for those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families who are undergoing the hardships associated with the disease, and I am honoured to be able to do my part in all of this.”
For more information or to support Ms Rando-Poller contact 9720 1839 or visit facebook.com/ElCaminoLeah.