When Nicole Kruse of Tascott was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2016, she made it her mission to get well enough to complete a 100km running event.
Having tried and fallen short twice before her diagnosis, Kruse was laser focussed on completing the feat.
In 2018 she completed the Blackall 100, an adventure-packed ultra-marathon which sees runners traversing the breathtaking Great Walk of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
“The Blackall 100 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 (two years earlier) and decided to make it my annual ‘celebration of life’,” Kruse said.
“I remembered the day I got diagnosed and was stoked to finally complete a 100km run on the same day two years later.”
Kruse completed the run again in 2019.
Due to COVID Kruse did her own 100km run through the suburbs of the Central Coast in 2020 and 2021 but last year she was back at the Blackall and this year she’ll be back again, for her sixth “celebration of life”.
In 2021, she turned her annual run 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 who 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,” Kruse said.
“So, when looking for an organisation to fundraise for it was the obvious choice.
“I had a bake sale at the local cafe, Locomotive Station.
“The ladies who run this cafe were absolutely amazing and supported me 100 per cent.
“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.”
Kruse, 44, raised almost $3500 for breast cancer research at the Perkins last year.
“Too many people have been touched by this horrible disease,” she said.
“I don’t think 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.”
This will be Kruse’s third year raising funds for the Institute as she once again completes the Blackall 100 in October.
In 2020 cancer researchers at the Institute discovered that 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.
You can donate to the cause at https://perkins-community-hub.raisely.com/nicole-kruse.
Source:
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research