Clare's B'day in the Newspaper
The Sunday Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22307538-5001021,00.html
Cancer girl celebrates last birthday at Luna Park
Suellen Hinde
August 26, 2007 at 12:00am
WITH only weeks to live, skin cancer victim Clare Oliver struggled to fulfil her dying birthday wish yesterday.
The young woman, diagnosed with aggressive melanoma three years ago, captured hearts last week by speaking out against the dangers of tanning and solariums.
One of her goals was to stay alive long enough to spend her 26th birthday with family and friends at Luna Park in Melbourne.
But on her arrival it took her nearly half an hour to gather her strength to get out of the ambulance.
"This means the world to me; I was not sure I could make it today,'' she said from a wheelchair.
"Today is like a milestone.
"I was not expected to live this long. I should have been gone two weeks ago but I keep on fighting.''
She admitted it had been a difficult morning. "I needed some extra pain relief. I had a really, really tough night but my medication has helped,'' she said.
Speaking in front of the park's entrance, Clare told of how the place held ``special memories'' for her.
"I spent a lot of time growing up around St Kilda and we would often come to Luna Park,'' she said.
"I am going to rock insidetoday but I am too weak to go on the rides.''
Ms Oliver cut a birthday cake while a crowd of around 70 friends, family and onlookers sang her "Happy Birthday''.
Ms Oliver went public about her illness last week, admitting she had been a fanatical tanner at the beach and in solariums.
"I wanted to warn other young women of the dangers of tanning,'' Ms Oliver said.
"But when I spoke out I didn't realise the impact it would have and I am completely and utterly overwhelmed that such a small action from me can cause such a huge reaction.''
The federal and state governments are now moving to regulate the solarium industry after hearing of her story.
In Victoria, the new rules mean it will be illegal to provide solarium services to children under 16, and those aged 16 or 17 must have parental permission.
Ms Oliver said she would like to see all solariums banned because "they are no good; you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary risk''.
Her doctor, Associate Professor Grant McArthur of Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, said there was little more they could do for Ms Oliver now except to administer pain relief and help keep fluid off her lungs.
"Anything we can do to make her comfortable,'' he said.
"But she is running on adrenalin _ especially since she gotthe Government to sit up andtake notice.''
Ms Oliver's childhood friend of 10 years, Carmen Tong, was "staying strong for her friend''.
"I think she is very brave using all her energy to speak out like this,'' Ms Tong said.
"It would be really easy for her to hide away. And for all those people who are really fashion conscious and obsessed with tanning the message is important.''
My and my brother's ugly mugs are in the photo, standing proudly behind her.
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,22307538-5001021,00.html
Cancer girl celebrates last birthday at Luna Park
Suellen Hinde
August 26, 2007 at 12:00am
WITH only weeks to live, skin cancer victim Clare Oliver struggled to fulfil her dying birthday wish yesterday.
The young woman, diagnosed with aggressive melanoma three years ago, captured hearts last week by speaking out against the dangers of tanning and solariums.
One of her goals was to stay alive long enough to spend her 26th birthday with family and friends at Luna Park in Melbourne.
But on her arrival it took her nearly half an hour to gather her strength to get out of the ambulance.
"This means the world to me; I was not sure I could make it today,'' she said from a wheelchair.
"Today is like a milestone.
"I was not expected to live this long. I should have been gone two weeks ago but I keep on fighting.''
She admitted it had been a difficult morning. "I needed some extra pain relief. I had a really, really tough night but my medication has helped,'' she said.
Speaking in front of the park's entrance, Clare told of how the place held ``special memories'' for her.
"I spent a lot of time growing up around St Kilda and we would often come to Luna Park,'' she said.
"I am going to rock insidetoday but I am too weak to go on the rides.''
Ms Oliver cut a birthday cake while a crowd of around 70 friends, family and onlookers sang her "Happy Birthday''.
Ms Oliver went public about her illness last week, admitting she had been a fanatical tanner at the beach and in solariums.
"I wanted to warn other young women of the dangers of tanning,'' Ms Oliver said.
"But when I spoke out I didn't realise the impact it would have and I am completely and utterly overwhelmed that such a small action from me can cause such a huge reaction.''
The federal and state governments are now moving to regulate the solarium industry after hearing of her story.
In Victoria, the new rules mean it will be illegal to provide solarium services to children under 16, and those aged 16 or 17 must have parental permission.
Ms Oliver said she would like to see all solariums banned because "they are no good; you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary risk''.
Her doctor, Associate Professor Grant McArthur of Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, said there was little more they could do for Ms Oliver now except to administer pain relief and help keep fluid off her lungs.
"Anything we can do to make her comfortable,'' he said.
"But she is running on adrenalin _ especially since she gotthe Government to sit up andtake notice.''
Ms Oliver's childhood friend of 10 years, Carmen Tong, was "staying strong for her friend''.
"I think she is very brave using all her energy to speak out like this,'' Ms Tong said.
"It would be really easy for her to hide away. And for all those people who are really fashion conscious and obsessed with tanning the message is important.''
My and my brother's ugly mugs are in the photo, standing proudly behind her.