26/09/2026
Four years ago, I heard the words "you have breast cancer."
Last Thursday, I stood in a room full of people who showed up to help make sure fewer women hear those words, and that those who do have better outcomes than ever before.
The Longest Table at Prohibition Liquor Co was one of those days I'll carry with me for a long time. Standing alongside Ali Clarke, sharing a little of my story, and looking out at a room full of generous, kind people who came together for one reason: to raise money for breast cancer research through The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
One in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Research is the reason so many of us are still here to tell our stories. To be able to give back to that, four years on, is something I don't take for granted for a second.
My heartfelt thanks to:
💗 Every single person who attended, bought a raffle ticket, grabbed a bottle from the w**e wall or put their hand up in the auction
💗 Ali Clarke, for standing beside me and sharing her own story so openly
💗 Paul Flynn and The Hospital Research Foundation Group
💗 Prohibition Liquor Co for hosting us so beautifully
💗 Rod Smitheram for bringing the energy as our auctioneer
💗 Liana Cervellin of herPOV for capturing the day
💗 Hither & Yon, The Curious Bloom, and Amy Smith and Lucy Damin of +One Dress Hire for their generosity
If you've ever wondered whether showing up makes a difference, it does. Every plate, every drink, every raffle ticket.
But the biggest thank you goes to my family, who are always there for me, no matter what. I was blessed to have my husband, Jason Baylis, mum, and 2 of my 3 children Henley and Lola support me. At the end of the day, Henley and Lola were proud that they raised almost $1800 in raffle ticket sales.
If you've ever wondered whether showing up makes a difference, it does.
Now go and book in to get checked and find out whether you have dense breast tissue or not - if you have dense breast tissue you need to have regular MRI's, if not, stick to Mammograms.
Also, if you have just been diagnosed, please do not hesitate to reach out
💗Leah