Tracey Beasley is a Pambula mother of three who is bravely and ferociously fighting the battle of her life. She is driven by the goal of seeing her children grow up and at the same time wanting to create awareness about melanoma.
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Tracey was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in late 2014. After grueling surgery, doctors found a large brain tumour which was confirmed as a secondary melanoma to one that was removed a decade ago.
Following her last round of surgery, Tracey endured entire brain radiation, only to be told that the cancer has returned. With another tumour on the brain and another on the lung, Tracey was advised that treatment would be difficult.
Tackling this devastating news with her constant smile and positive outlook, Tracey is now in the process of enduring four rounds of intense immunotherapy.
Following this treatment, Tracey’s best chance of survival will be the immunotherapy medication Keytruda which fights advanced inoperable melanoma and tumours.
Keytruda comes at a cost of $150,000 per year and is not currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Despite all the struggles and uncertainty Tracey has managed to keep a positive attitude and continues to put her children first.
“I'm a Mum going through the motions of life,” Tracey commented on Facebook. “This is just my journey which I still believe is all for a good reason, to help educate others and try and minimise this disease as much as possible. I'm just so fortunate to live in a community that will go to the end of the earth for others and to have grown up with very special people.”
No longer able to work, Tracey continues to contribute to the community reading with kids at school, volunteering at the canteen and helping educate and create awareness for melanoma. She’s also working to improve shade policies in playgrounds and get wider brimmed hats in local schools.
Now a group of friends and family has banded together to help alleviate Tracey’s financial strain associated with her treatment, travel and living expenses.
Team Tracey “We’ve Got Your Back” has organised a number of fundraisers including a kids disco for all school aged kids to show their support to Tracey’s three children Molly, Toby and Banjo at Club Sapphire on Friday, July 17, an adult band night also at Club Sapphire on Saturday, July 25 and a monster raffle.
Tickets for the two events will be available online and at outlets to be advised on their Facebook page in the next few weeks. The raffle is filled with prizes donated by local businesses and individuals, with a major prize of a $5000 holiday donated by Bobbins Transport.
If you would like to donate to the monster raffle there are three drop off points, Westpac Merimbula, Nolan’s Auto Parts Pambula or Eden Gas and Gear. Team Tracey will accept prizes up until Friday, May 29.
Team Tracey have also set up a bank account for donations: TL Beasley-Smith, BSB 633-000 and account number 154 746 416 or via the My Cause “Team Tracey We’ve Got Your Back” fundraising page for credit card donations.
For more information please see the Team Tracey "We've Got Your Back" facebook page.
