WOW Cairns! Thank you so much for making the official launch of my next big adventure so very special! A sell out night, and I am so sorry to all those who missed out! It was so special to feel your support, and share a little bit about the adventure to come!
On the 17th of January 160 people came from Cairns and surrounds – some drove 2 hours for the event – to attend a special screening of our film ‘Changing Tides’, hear about my next big adventure on the Yukon River, learn more about Endometriosis and fundraise for QENDO, an organisation support those living with the condition.
The night wouldn’t have been successful without the support of SES, who hosted us in the Cairns HQ (where I volunteers), the End Credits Film Club for the incredible screening gear and people power, Gutsy Girls from promo and support and to Ash from QENDO for flying up from Brisbane as our guest speaker. Also a massive shoutout to my friend and incredible photographer KK, who took all these amazing photos on the night. You can check them out at: https://throughkkseyes.pixieset.com.
Through ticket sales, raffle and the delicious snacks available on the night, we raised $3,297 for QENDO. On my journey of getting diagnosed and still living with Endo, QENDO has been an invaluable resource of information, support and community. I am fundraising to increase resourcing for the QENDO hotline. This support line is currently completely volunteer run, and is a hotline that people with Endo can call to ask questions, get support or just feel heard.
However this is just the beginning! My goal is to raise $90,000 for the support line. It’s ambitious – but it’s necessary. That would pay the wage of a nurse navigator to be on the hotline. Nurse navigators are people who are professionally trained to help people with complex health conditions, like Endometriosis, to navigate and understand the health system and the care they need. Trying to figure out how to live with Endo is confusing, overwhelming and contradictory at times. Everyone’s case is different and the care you need is different. It’s a lot of trial and error and guess work. Having someone to guide and help you through that is so important!
So what more can you do?? Please share this blog and tell people about my amazing adventure, and my big goal. Maybe they can donate, maybe they can share my story? You can make a one off donation, or become a regular donor… maybe you want to donate the cost of one coffee a week to the cause? That would make a massive difference!
I have just under a month until I leave the Australia and make my way to Canada. Folk in Vancouver got wind of the film screening and wanted to have one there too! So my next big event will be in Vancouver. However, if you did miss out, please stay tuned! I am looking at hosting an online screening sometime in May, from Whitehorse! So that everyone can hear the latest before I get on the river.
In the meantime, you can stay up to date here, but subscribing for my blog!
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Passage Adventures - Paddling for Change 