Shine A Light Community Walk Hailed A Triumph

On Saturday, November 5 lung cancer warriors, Pat Zandona and Tania Gray participated in Griffith’s inaugural Shine A Light Community Walk for the Lung Foundation, walking around Griffith City Park and the Community Gardens.

Pat said that Tania’s sister, Mandy Gray, was the main organiser of the event.

“We had lots of support,” Pat said.

“Business houses in Griffith are very generous.

“They donated so many prizes.

“Tania and I spent two days at the Central plaza selling raffle tickets and then again on the day of the walk and raised $1200.

“We also had Griffith Rotary Group Avanti do a sausage sizzle.

“It really was a team effort.”

Their contact from the Lung Foundation told them to expect their first event to be on the smaller side, but the Griffith women weren’t discouraged.

“Most people were happy to donate instead of walk,” Pat said.

“We had 51 registered and 46 walkers on the day.

“The mosquitoes weren’t quite pleasant but we were prepared.

“Griffith did quite well.

“We raised $10,530 for the Lung Foundation.

“Relay for Life started out small and now they are a major event every year.”

Pat said that the Shine A Light walk would be an annual event held on the first Saturday in November, so set the date in your calendars and be there next year to help raise money for a very worthy cause.

The aim of the walk is not only to raise much needed funds for the Lung Foundation but to raise awareness of lung conditions, including cancer.

Most of us assume that people with lung cancer must have been heavy smokers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Pat.

Part owner of Fresh Body Gym, she was at her fittest two and a half years ago when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“There’s still a lot of stigma out there.

“I had never smoked, I didn’t drink, I was quite clean and fit,” she said.

“I had a persistent cough and shortness of breath so I took myself off to the doctor.

“I had a CT scan and got the diagnosis.

“I was good all my life.”

In fact, she used to worry about her husband who was a smoker before they got married.

The truth is that smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. Pollutants in the air, including chemicals and sprays, can lead to lung complaints.

Pat said that it was important to remain positive and to surround yourself with positive people because negativity is not good for your head.

Photos courtesy of Peter Reynolds

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• Health & Wellbeing