The reality of joining the 'stage 4 cancer club' at 27.

Emily Harrison was 26 years old when she first noticed a lump in her left breast. She didn’t think much of it at first, assumed it would go away. It wasn’t until she mentioned it in passing during a conversation with her parents, that she decided to visit her local GP. 

“It’s probably just a cyst, but let’s get you an ultrasound anyway,” the GP told Emily. It was at that appointment that she realised something wasn’t right. 

“I remember the technician lingered for a long time on the lump, and then went to grab his supervisor,” says Emily.

A biopsy revealed stage 3B breast cancer. For a few days, everything was a blur. Just 12 months earlier, Emily was at the end of an eight-month trip around Asia and Europe, and was about to fly home after spending two months in Japan with her partner. 

Now, she was confronted with the prospect chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and — possibly — a life without children.

She chose to freeze her eggs, and after undergoing IVF, Emily began chemotherapy. 

“Fortunately, the only cancer found was the one in my breast. They did see an enlarged lymph node which suggested the cancer had started to spread through my lymphatic system, but they hoped chemo could eliminate the chance of this progressing too far.”

Emily endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy, and underwent a bilateral mastectomy where both breasts were removed, followed by radiation for five weeks. 

Around a year later, Emily felt some pain in her left rib. A couple of weeks later, a lump had formed. 

“On Valentine’s Day of 2023, I had a call from the hospital to let me know my cancer had returned and it was now in my bones,” shares Emily. 

For Emily, while her initial diagnosis caused sadness and fear, a diagnosis of metastatic cancer after everything she’d been through left her feeling nothing but burning anger. 

“I was angry that I had done everything they had thrown at me, and I’d powered through it all for the last two years only to be told it hadn’t worked.”

"I have a stronger appreciation of the world, rather than just focusing on my little cancer bubble.”

Emily says she copes by trying to turn negative experiences into positive thoughts. 

“Yes, I have scars and look different to how I’d like to look, but those scars are the reason I’m still here. I just want to experience as much of life as I can in whatever time I have left."

One of those experiences was fulfilling her dream to visit the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to Dreams2Live4, the only charity in Australia that makes dreams come true for adults 17 and over living with metastatic cancer (meaning any cancer which has spread), including relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukaemia and high grade brain tumours.  

“It was amazing! We spent five nights in Palm Cove, and hired a car so we could explore. We went out to a pontoon in the outer reef, went to places like Fitzroy Island and Kuranda, and we just relaxed,” says Emily. 

Emily says the importance of having dreams to look forward to when you are experiencing metastatic cancer can’t be underestimated.

“This experience taught me how important it was to have something to look forward to. I found so much fulfilment in planning and preparing for our time away. 

“Doing these things while we can is something I think we all take for granted, until it might be taken away from us. I know at 26 years old I’d never thought, ‘I’d better do that now because one day I won’t be able to!’ until I found out I had cancer. 

“I was able to spend five days focusing on myself and my partner, and the good things in life, instead of hospitals and medications. I feel like I returned from this trip with a much stronger appreciation of the world around me, rather than just focusing on my little cancer bubble.”

Dreams like Emily's can only be fulfilled thanks to generous support from individuals and organisations, like Play For Purpose, a not-for-profit charity raffle helping over 500 charities, like Dreams2Live4, to raise much-needed funds for their cause and community. 

Since 2018, Play For Purpose has raised more than $8.6 million dollars for good causes close to the heart of everyday Australians. When you purchase a raffle ticket for just $10, at least $5 from every ticket is guaranteed to directly support your charity of choice. The other half is giving supporters the chance to win a share in 395 amazing prizes — including a $250,000 first prize — with everything over and above going back to the charities (a win-win).

By picking Dreams2Live4 as your charity of choice, you can help make dreams come true for adults living with metastatic cancer, like Emily. Whether it's a wedding or family reunion, a few days away or meeting someone special, a dream can provide a much-needed distraction from cancer, giving the Dreamer and their loved ones something positive and joyous to focus on. 

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Life with metastatic cancer.

“Life has had its ups and downs, as it does for anyone. I’ve had to deal with new side effects from my medications, and have had to come to terms with the realisation that it is very likely my life will be cut short due to cancer,” shares Emily. 

But mostly, she says she tries to see the positives.

“I’ve made some beautiful friends through a support program in Victoria, and I am thankful everyday for those girls."

Emily recently became engaged to her partner, Layne, after eight years together. She's pursuing a Masters of Counselling degree, and plans to go to Europe to watch her brother compete in the Olympics. 

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A post shared by Emily Harrison (@emilyrharrison)

But it's not always easy. She's a lot weaker than she once was, and due to the medically-induced menopause, struggles with things like hot flashes, fluctuating weight and joint pain.

“By my 27th birthday, I’d had a double mastectomy. The hormone blockers I’m on make it difficult to manage weight and build muscle. I also tire easily and often find myself feeling nauseous and foggy if I don’t rest when my body tells me I need to. I think all of this has impacted me mentally, but I try to remain positive.”

For Emily, fulfilling her dream was just the push she needed to maintain her positive outlook. 

“I’m feeling pretty good! Knowing I have so many things to look forward to this year like planning a wedding, studying and travelling are also keeping me in high spirits. Some days are harder than others, but for now I’ll just keep going the way I’m going.”

If you’d like to support the amazing work of a local Australian charity close to your heart, like Dreams2Live4, head to Play For Purpose, buy a ticket and nominate your favourite cause.

Play For Purpose charity raffle tickets are just $10, so get behind the community cause closest to your heart for your chance to WIN a $250,000 first prize pack. For the latest raffle prizes, see playforpurpose.com.au.

If you’re an established ACNC registered charity looking to supercharge your fundraising, contact the Play For Purpose team to learn more about becoming a charity partner. Promoter is 50-50 Foundation Ltd. Entry open to Australian residents who are aged 18 years or older. See full T&Cs at playforpurpose.com.au.

Feature Image: Instagram/@emilyrharrison