Barbara Lo and Amy Chan

Three hundred and fifty opera lovers braved heavy rain to attend Sydney based Loyal Heart Opera’s Gala concert at the Dome Theatre, Burwood on Sunday 30 October. 

The Loyal Heart Opera showcased a beautiful selection of traditional Chinese dances, opera solos and duos, together with a selection of modern Chinese songs performed by Edward Lee.

Performers wore a spectacular selection of traditional Chinese costumes that featured flowing silk gowns with intricate beading and sequins and elegant headdresses.

One of Loyal Heart Opera’s featured performers, Barbara Lo, who was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year and showed no signs of breathlessness, as she performed magnificently in solo and duo operatic performances.

One highlight of the concert was a special solo performance by Teacher Duan Qiu Xia and the audience responded with a rousing applause at the end of her dramatic piece.

 “We were thrilled with the response of our community of supporters – the show is a sell out”, said Event Organiser Amy Chan.

Karen Munro with Assoc Professor David Ball from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Kaylene Chaproniere, owner of Chilli Cycles of Warragal, hosted a Tour de France fundraising evening in June in support of local cyclist Karen Munro, 39, a superfit never smoker who has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.

"I was overwhelmed by the community spirit that got behind our evening and the level of local support for Karen”, Kaylene Chaproniere said. “Local businesses including Lean and Green, Feelgood Gym, Prepare to Party, The Press Cellars, Mangowood and The Party Man were incredibly generous and that why we raised so much money” she said.

100 guests helped raise a staggering $8,000 for The Lung Foundation’s Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network. Guest speakers included SBS cycling commentor, Matt Keenan, who gave behind the scenes anecdotes on The Tour de France and took questions from guests on the race and cycling in general.

2008 Lunch for Lung Cancer's top fundraiser

Meet Helen Cayas and her family. Helen and her community of family and friends raised more than $7000 in November with a fabulous "Greek Taverna" event in Lakemba Sydney and their event is our top fundraiser for 2008.

Helen and her family are very proud of their Greek heritage and what better way to celebrate but with a fabulous feast of Greek food and lots of dancing.

"We had so much fun on the night and it was wonderful to see my children dancing to the traditional Greek songs and music that I danced to as a child – I really relived my childhood" Helen said. "My aunties and uncles danced the night away in between bidding for silent auction items and buying raffle tickets".

"I'm very grateful for the love and support I receive from all of my family and friends and this is my way to easy suffering and try to give hope to others" Helen said.

A lunch on the Wild side

Lynda Wild and around fifty of her friends hosted a Lunch for Lung Cancer event on the wild side incorporating a motorbike ride, morning tea and BBQ in an action packed day of fun.

"Our event came about when a dear friend, Sue, came up with the idea of a motorbike ride to raise funds and awareness about lung cancer" Lynda said. Sue had lost her Dad some years ago to this disease.

"None of us knew anything about what is being done for lung cancer. My internet research discovered the KJLCN website", Lynda said. "Kylie's ( Johnston ) story of the ballooning across the desert inspired me as well as her efforts for someone so young".

"We are all Ulysses members and support a lot of charities – we're a big happy family. A morning tea and BBQ followed each leg of the ride.

"Our fundraising items included the sale of home knitted bears & dogs, a raffle for baskets of goodies, donations and frog shaped wheat bags" Lynda said.

"I was overwhelmed by the support" she said.

Lynda presented a brief story about Kylie Johnston's journey with lung cancer which all her friends thoroughly enjoyed.

"It was a "wild" day!" Lynda declared.

On 16 November 2008, Matthew Pusey, a life time never smoker, passed away after a courageous 3 year battle with non small cell lung cancer...a battle that inspired every single person who had the pleasure of knowing him.

During these 3 years, Matthew became a passionate consumer advocate with a commitment to promoting lung cancer awareness and reducing the associated stigmatism that comes with the diagnosis.

In 2007 through his knowledge and his passionate support of other patients, Matthew became the face and voice of Lung Cancer Awareness Week in Australia.

Run For Life

One of Matthew's many friends Rhobelle Nicdao ran in the Run Melbourne half marathon on 28 June 2009 to help raise money for the Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network. In doing so, Rhobelle helps to continue Matthew's commitment to raising much needed funds and to remember and acknowledge Matthew's fighting spirit.

"My next source of inspiration came from Kylie Johnston. She was out there talking about lung cancer, making a difference, making people aware. As a result of Kylie's Lungevity Challenge in May 2006, and her fantastic efforts to raise funds for lung cancer, I am planning a fundraising day for lung cancer research.

I will be 60 on 12 th March 2007, and I will be having a huge celebration under a marquee, inviting everyone I know to share this special day with me. I ask for no presents, but a donation for lung cancer".

At Roslyn's birthday celebration, she delivered an inspirational speech, and the following is a small extract:

"When I started this journey in August 2004, turning 60 was one of the goals I set myself, along with a wedding, a new grandchild, a graduation, and home coming for my son Scott and his wife, Georgie. My next goal is to welcome another grandchild into the family, and I only have to wait 3 months to achieve that.