06/06/2026
To our beautiful community, and all the wonderful people who I love and love me in return ❤️
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year those words have taken on a whole new, deeply personal, meaning for me.
I need to ask a favour.
My precious niece, Sienna, is fundraising through the Ponytail Project for Cancer Council. She's raised money before, but this year there's one important catch — unless she reaches her goal of just $500, she can't donate her beautiful, thick hair. Overnight she surpassed this goal 👏👏, but I would love, with your help, to see her finish this final school fundraiser in record-breaking style. 🏆
She got that gorgeous hair from her mumma, just like the rest of us got our super thick hair from our own wonderful mum, a breast cancer survivor. Our hair and eyelashes have always been a family thing—something we've joked about for years. It might be a curse on humid days, but it's still one of those traits we're proud to have inherited.
Now it's Sienna's turn to do something extraordinary with hers.
I'd love to see her smash her goal and finish this final school fundraiser in record-breaking style.
This isn't how I intended to tell everyone what's been happening in my life. The truth is, I don't have the strength to keep making the people I love cry down the phone. On 18 May, I celebrated my 51st birthday. Three days later, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Grade 3 Stage 2 breast cancer.
In the coming weeks, I'll begin the full treatment journey: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The goal is a complete cure, and that's exactly what I'm fighting for.
Twenty years ago, this diagnosis would have carried a very different outlook. Today, because of incredible advances in medical research — advances made possible through fundraising and the generosity of ordinary people — I have a fighting chance.
So today, I'm asking you to show your love for me by supporting Sienna.
While I will lose my hair unwillingly, Sienna is choosing to give hers away to help others. To be honest, she's probably braver than I am.
And really... how do you say no to that face? (Even if this photo was taken 15 years ago) 😊
If you're able, please donate. Every dollar helps. Every share helps. Every bit of support helps families like mine and the 1 in 7 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for supporting Sienna. And thank you for giving people like me hope.
Love, Maria 🩷
Did you know that 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime? I’m taking part in Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project campaign to raise funds that will support people impacted by cancer. Throughout the year, I’ll be growing my hair as long as possible, alongside peers all ...
