When Nicole Kruse was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2016, she made it her mission to get well enough to complete a 100km running event.
The massive challenge is one not many people could complete but having tried and fallen short twice before her diagnosis, Nicole was laser focussed on completing the feat.
Running 100km is hard, but it’s not as hard as facing cancer, something Nicole was reminded of during her gruelling treatments to beat the disease.
“The Blackall100 holds a very special place in my heart, as when I finished it after fighting cancer, I saw that the date the event was held was the same date as my cancer diagnosis on October 16 and decided to make it my annual ‘celebration of life’,” Nicole said.
“I remembered the day I got diagnosed and was stoked to finally complete a 100km on the same day 2 years later. I will be at Blackall100 again this year for another ‘celebration of life’.”
In 2021, Nicole turned her ‘celebration of life’ into a charitable exercise and began raising money for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth.
“The sister of a friend of mine that I met at the 100km run was also diagnosed with breast cancer and was a huge supporter of the Harry Perkins Institute, especially the honeybee venom project. So, when looking for an organisation to fundraise for it was the obvious choice,” Nicole said.
In 2020 cancer researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute discovered a component in honeybee venom kills the cancer cells in all types of breast cancer. Work is ongoing to develop a treatment, though it is estimated it will take several years and millions of dollars before it becomes available for patients.
“I had a bake sale at the local cafe, Locomotive Station on the NSW central coast. The ladies who run this cafe were absolutely amazing and supported me 1000%. I also raised money at a family gathering where I asked for donations instead of presents.”
“It felt amazing doing the event and fundraising for a good cause.”
After seeing the impact of raising funds for medical research, Nicole did it all again in 2022 and raised almost $3500 for breast cancer research at the Perkins.
“Too many people have been touched by this horrible disease.”
“I don’t think that there is anyone out there who doesn’t know at least one person diagnosed with cancer, so if you’re considering challenging yourself for a great cause, do it! It’s always worth the effort as no one knows what’s around the corner.”
In October this year, 44-year-old Nicole will be back for her 2023 Celebration of Life, running 100km and continuing to make a massive difference for life-saving cancer research at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
