Yolanda Castro

Still Salty. Still Hopeful. Definitely Not Walking Alone. ❤️

On 9 October 2024, I rang the bell.

Now, almost two years later, I’m walking 58km for the 58 Aussies diagnosed with breast cancer every day, raising funds for Cancer Council.

This one is personal.

Almost two years on, I’m still learning that surviving something doesn’t mean you have to be okay with what happened.

I can be angry about what cancer took from me, ashamed to belong to a club I never wanted to join, incredibly grateful to still be here, and determined to make something useful out of it.

All of those feelings can sit at the same table.

I was too young for routine breast screening, had no family history, a thriving career, navigating parenthood, raising a beautiful little boy, strong Christian faith and an incredible tribe.

Cancer didn’t care.

And I learnt very quickly that needing help has nothing to do with your career, faith, strength or how many people love you.

That’s where Cancer Council came in.

They helped carry a load I didn’t know how to. They provided a roadmap when I was preparing for the worst while praying for the best. They put food on my table on days when even an online shop felt impossible, and helped my tribe stay strong enough to keep me strong.

Most importantly, when I couldn’t find the words, they helped me explain to my five-year-old that Mama had bad cells that needed an immediate exit, and she might be sick for a little while.

I wish I’d never met Cancer Council. I wish I’d never qualified for this club.

But I did. And they were in my corner.

So while I’d happily have skipped this particular piece of character development, I’m going to make something useful out of it 💪

I’m walking so that when someone else unexpectedly joins this club, there’s someone in their corner too.

And if I can help make sure Cancer Council is still there for the families who come after mine?

So be it. Let that be part of my legacy.

Almost two years since I rang that bell.

Still here. Still healing. Still faithful. Still hopeful. Still salty. ❤️