In little less than two months, long distance runner Jenna Brook has clocked in more than 1,500km of winding country roads, and the Queensland native says she isn’t even halfway to the finish line.
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“I will run 4,500km to raise awareness and money for bowel cancer,” she said.
The “Running for Bums” charity run kicked off at the southernmost tip of Tasmania on February 17, and will see Jenna cross the finish line at the tip of Cape York come mid June. Armed with 10 pairs of running shoes, dozens of socks and a support team to assist with safety, hyrdation and nutrition, Jenna will run the equivalent of more than 100 marathons.
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10 pairs of running shoes, dozens of socks and a support team to assist with safety, hydration and nutrition.
“This is the first time I have done anything so intense,” Jenna said.
The 30 year old had been in training for 18 months, but her fight against bowel cancer goes back to a much earlier date.
“My granddad was diagnosed with bowel cancer late in his life, when he was 70 years old. He survived by the skin of his teeth,” Jenna said.
His close encounter with the harmful cancer has put Jenna on her guard ever since.
“I have grown up knowing that my risk is elevated. I’ve now had three colonoscopies since I was 25, as a preventive measure. The doctors have removed 14 polyps as a result. The process is painless.”
According to Jenna, 80 Australians die each week from bowel cancer. It is the second largest cancer killer, with every one in four diagnoses linked to genetics.
“If you talk to friends and family about bowel cancer, it is amazing how many have stories to tell,” she said.
So many late diagnoses come down to sheer embarrassment; many people are still too embarrassed to report symptoms to their doctors and push for screening. Even more people avoid discussing bowel cancer within a family setting because it seems undignified.
- Jenna Brook
Thanks to advances in modern science, bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable. Jenna pointed out that although treatment has a 90% success rate if detected early, only 40% of cases are caught in time.
“So many late diagnoses come down to sheer embarrassment; many people are still too embarrassed to report symptoms to their doctors and push for screening. Even more people avoid discussing bowel cancer within a family setting because it seems undignified,” she said.
Jenna says populous cities are generally further ahead on tackling the cancer, with many roadblocks in the way for rural towns.
“A lack consistent services means people living in smaller towns can’t get checked up as frequently. They have to travel long distances to access services, which cuts into their money, time and family life. It’s important to recognise that the barriers are greater for people living outside of metropolitan areas.”
For this reason, Jenna has kept her charity run to the country roads, passing through towns such as Walgett.
She will zip through Mungindi today and on April 11, before making her way north to Nindigully and St George.
“It will be a special moment when I pass through Mungindi, because I will be returning to my home state of Queensland,” the Birdsville local said.
So far, Jenna has raised more than $25,000 for Bowel Cancer Australia. Supporters are encouraged to join Jenna on her run and walk or share their stories on the “Running for bums” Facebook page.
For more information about Jenna’s route visit runningforbums.com.au.
