Surviving cancer became my whole life
I couldn’t believe it was happening. But as a mum, I had a job to do: be there for my children as they grow up. So for 10 months, everything became about surviving cancer.
I’m a very positive person, so my approach to it all was ‘Okay. I’ve been thrown this terrible, terrible disease but I have to tackle it head-on.’
So even on my first day of chemo, I was terrified on the inside, but I walked in with a smile on my face:
‘I’m here. I’m ready to go. Here’s my arm. Do what you got to do.’


I’m taking back my life
Cancer isn’t over when treatment ends. It took me so long to recover. Even now it’s all still so vivid in my mind. It’s that day again and I’m finding that lump. Even watching stuff on television about cancer, sometimes I need to go into another room and cry.
But I can’t let cancer dominate my life forever. I gave myself two years then I went back to work. I started swimming and walking to rebuild my strength and saw a personal trainer. I remember thinking:
‘I’m taking back my life. It’s time to take it all back and try to be me again.’
Taking control of the future
Naomi is committed to telling her story and supporting cancer research to help make sure others – including her children – never have to face cancer.
Together, we can take control of this brutal disease. Please make a tax deductible donation today to support the boldest, most innovative research into the prevention, detection and treatment of all types of cancer.


Funding the technology that drives discovery
ACRF is committed to backing pioneering research and since 1984 we have contributed more than $160m to cancer research projects. Guided by our volunteer Medical Research Advisory Committee (MRAC), we are able to select the most promising research projects each year to receive funding.
As medical research professionals themselves, the members have a detailed understanding of the global cancer research landscape. Here is why they will never stop striving to control cancer:
The motivation behind these remarkable people
Every day we are so thankful to the brilliant minds that are leading cancer research in Australia. Cancer is a deceptive and challenging disease, one that takes resilience and persistence to keep exploring and tackling. We asked our MRAC: ‘what keeps them motivated?’
ACRF’s MRAC is world-renowned for its rigorous review process and because of the exceptional expertise of its members.