Cancer survivor makes a splash for Daffodil Day
30 August 2024
Daffodil Day community ambassador and Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) employee, Jo Buena, has successfully raised more than $4,000 for Cancer Council Victoria.
In January last year, at just 46, Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer, with doctors deciding to schedule a double mastectomy in the following days to remove several malignant tumours.
To reduce the risk of the cancer returning, Jo’s ovaries were removed earlier this year, which sent her into early menopause. Coincidentally, Jo’s mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer at 46; she sadly passed away from the disease in 2004.
“Hopefully, sharing my story will inspire other women and men with a family history of breast cancer or who are feeling a lump in their chest to get checked – it might just save their life,” Jo said.
Cancer Council Victoria’s Head of Fundraising and Communications, Lyrian Fleming-Parsley, said Jo’s story was an inspiring call to action for all of us to be vigilant about our health.
“Jo’s willingness to share her story reminds us all that we need to be vigilant about our health – if something changes, please get checked. Her strength and positivity shines through, and it means so much to us to have Jo’s support this Daffodil Day,” Lyrian said.
To help reach her fundraising target, Jo called on her colleagues to get behind her, with SDA employees enthusiastically joining in to support her efforts to give back. Jo organised Saputo’s CHEER Toastie Truck to appear outside her workplace on Daffodil Day, Thursday 22 August, with 50 percent of the proceeds of the 320 toasties sold on the day donated to her fundraiser.
Additionally, SDA contributed $500 from its You Care We Care program to Jo’s fundraiser as part of the company’s year-round commitment to support causes that are important to its employees and reinforce a caring culture.
Jo followed her work fundraiser with making a splash in the Daffodil Day Dip Challenge, which saw her joined by around 30 friends and family to take the plunge into the icy cold water off Brighton pier on Sunday 25 August. Everyone came to Jo’s event dressed in yellow to show their support and fundraise for vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services.
Jo said she was over the moon to have raised more than $4,000 and was hopeful for a cancer-free future. “I am incredibly grateful for all the support from family, friends, colleagues and the community at large.”
Almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.1 If you would like to donate to Jo’s fundraiser, please visit the Daffodil Day website and search for ‘Jo Buena’.
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- https://www.daffodilday.com.au/about
About Saputo Dairy Australia
Saputo Dairy Australia produces, markets and distributes a wide range of high-quality dairy and non-dairy products for the domestic and international markets including cheese, dairy alternative cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. Saputo is a leading dairy processor in Australia and is part of Saputo Inc., one of the top ten dairy processors in the world. Saputo Dairy Australia products are sold in several countries under well-known brand names such as Caboolture, CHEER™, Cracker Barrel*, Devondale, Great Ocean Road, King Island Dairy, Liddells, Mersey Valley, MG Ingredients, Mil Lel, Sheese, South Cape, Sungold and Tasmanian Heritage. Visit us online: www.saputodairyaustralia.com.au | www.saputo.com
*Cracker Barrel is a registered trademark of Lactalis Heritage Dairy used under licence.
