Breast cancer awareness advocate Jo Menken is on a high, and for good reason.
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A “BRCA Brew” by Newstead Brewing Co featuring a drawing of the former Gunnedah woman sold out less than a week after the launch this month.
“We raised over $3.5k and the BRCA brew was available online after but sold out in 5 days,” Jo said.
The pale ale cans feature a spiel on Jo and the BRCA gene, which is commonly linked to an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer. Jo has a defective BRCA2 gene and underwent a preventative double mastectomy in 2016.
Jo said the BRCA Brew was born after she met the owner of Newstead Brewing Co who told her that as a child he wanted to find a cure for cancer.
“He is a scientist and knows how difficult it is to find funding for research. When he saw what I was doing he jumped on board to help,” she said.
“They've been so supportive; they donated the whole batch of beer, with 100 per cent of funds to Breast Wishes JOurney for the ball.
“The idea behind the collaboration was to make more men aware of breast cancer as they can get it too.”
Jo’s major surgery led her to launch Breast Wishes JOurney, a platform to record her personal journey, raise awareness of the gene mutation and give information on preventative measures.
“By using this community project as leverage, I’ve been able to find a 3D nipple/areola reconstruction tattoo artist, who is providing one complimentary treatment a month to breast cancer survivors and pre-vivors,” she said.
“It's life changing.”
From the platform, the Breast Wishes Ball was born in 2016 to both celebrate the success of her surgery and raise funds for Pink Hope and Mummy’s Wish. Now in its third year, the ball will be held on October 6 at a converted warehouse in Fortitude Valley, with all proceeds to go to Brisbane Breast Bank, which is based at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research.
“The venue is stunning,” Jo said.
“We'll have The Baker Boys performing, a photo booth, auctions, raffles and a couple of surprises.”
Jo and a representative from the breast bank will both speak on the night.
The breast cancer “pre-vivor” is also currently selling scarves of her own design to raise awareness of the BRCA gene.
“I designed scarves for chemo patients but also as a fashion accessory,” she said.
"It was so cool to walk around at the beer launch and see people wearing them; even the dogs and kids were.”
To purchase a scarf or tickets to the Breast Wishes Ball, visit www.breastwishesjourney.com
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