Jo Hall
‘Ambassador Porch Thoughts’
The tradition of celebrating Mother’s Day in Australia can be traced back to 1924; when Sydney resident, Mrs Janet Heyden, first met lonely and forgotten mothers at the Newington State Home for Women. Together with support from her community and local school children, Mrs Heyden returned each year with hand-made knitted gifts, confectionary, soaps and powders; creating a day filled with warmth and happiness to honour the Home’s residential mothers until her passing in 1960.
Continuing in Mrs Heyden’s caring and giving footsteps, for more than 15 years, the Mother’s Day Classic fun run and walk has provided Australian communities with a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day, having raised $14.8million (to date) for breast cancer research on a national level.
On early Sunday morning, an expected 50,000 Victorians are set to don their pink attire and sneakers to run or walk in Melbourne and regional locations to remember those who have been affected by or who are living with breast cancer; whilst raising money for breast cancer research.
In the lead-up to Mother’s Day, I caught up with one of Victoria’s Mother’s Day Classic ambassadors, Nine News presenter - Jo Hall. On her News Porch, I learnt more behind her passion to raising on-going awareness for breast screening and why walking 4km’s around Melbourne’s picturesque circuit continues to mark the beginning of celebrating Mother’s Day with her children.
Why do you believe thousands of Australians are drawn and participate in events such as the Mother’s Day Classic to raise awareness and much needed funds for breast cancer?
This is a wonderful cause to embrace and get on board. Most people now are touched in some way by breast cancer, as in knowing a relative or friend; and this is certainly the case with me.
How did breast cancer touch your life?
Two of my girlfriends, one of whom I am particularly close to, have been diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully fought it, which is fantastic. When someone does suffer with breast cancer, it’s not just that person who it impacts; it impacts a whole lot of people. When my friend Anne was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, her son Josh, who is best friends with my youngest son, had many sleep-overs. We became part of their journey.
Following your girlfriends’ recoveries, you immediately went on to become a leading ambassador for the Victorian Mother’s Day Classic and also BreastScreen Victoria. What is the key message in the fight against breast cancer?
We need to make sure our mums, our girlfriends, our aunts and nieces have breast screens because early detection is so vital. If breast cancer can be caught and detected in its early stages, you have a strong and high chance of surviving the disease. If it’s progressed it is much harder. That is why we need to be so diligent about breast screening.
What prevents women from undergoing regular check-ups?
Research has shown women will prioritise to go to the gym, or to have our nails or our hair coloured. We tend to put off the important things like breast scanning.
How long does an average screen test take?
It takes 10 minutes for a screen test which is performed by women. If you are over 40, then it’s free. So there really are no excuses. It can be a bit uncomfortable and a bit unpleasant. But it’s only 10 minutes of feeling discomfort for what is great peace of mind. And for younger women, they need to be breast aware and seek medical advice for any changes to their breasts.
Has screening increased around Victoria?
When I first joined BreastScreen Victoria, I thought they set their sights really high aiming to receive 1,300 bookings a day throughout Victoria. Thankfully the campaign has been really successful as they currently receive around 1,800 calls a day. To keep that sort of momentum going, you have to constantly get the message out, talk about it and remind people.
Why do you enjoy participating in the Mother’s Day Classic?
I have participated for a number of years with my children. I drag them out of bed first thing in the morning and they walked with me. The first year we walked, I remember we carried the twins on our shoulders because they became tired by the end of it. As they have grown, they have really enjoyed it. It’s really a wonderful thing to do with your family on Mother’s Day; whilst getting the message across about breast cancer.
Apart from celebrating Mother’s Day with you, what else do you believe your children, like thousands of others, can learn from participating in the event?
It encourages children to ask questions and to become knowledgeable about breast cancer. I had to introduce my children to it at a fairly young age when Josh was staying with us. My daughter would ask, “Why is Josh so sad?”
How would you explain Josh’s sadness?
We would have to talk about breast cancer. Now my daughter is thirteen and we can discuss it a lot more because of her knowledge and my involvement as an ambassador. All of my children are curious about it and also quite educated because of the material I have brought home. I like to think that it can’t be a bad thing, particularly with young girls like my daughter.
Why do you think the Mother’s Day Classic continues to attract more participants each year?
It’s touching. Everyone is walking and people have messages attached to their backs with their own particular stories on their t-shirts. It’s wonderful that so many people are getting together and really making it a fun event around Victoria. It’s not just for serious runners. It can be beautiful to just walk around, have a chat and meet different people and hearing so many moving stories.
How do you feel when you learn some teams register teams with in excess of 200 members?
I think it’s wonderful and groups do get together and push it. I know in my own work environment at Nine, emails were sent around months ago encouraging women and men from all departments to participate. My male colleagues and many other male friends have told me, ‘I am walking this year.’ It’s wonderful to see so many men participate.
Over the years in the role of as an ambassador, what is one of your fondest memories?
I recall being up on stage last year with the Master of Ceremonies, Mary Delahunty. I triggered the starting gun for the waves of runners. It was just incredible to wave to in excess of 40,000 runners. It’s amazing that thousands of people get up really early on a Sunday and I hope this event continues to grow as an integral part of our Mother’s Day celebrations.
What is your Porch Thought For The Day?
“I am often asked, ‘What is the story you want to read about on the News?’ I have always said, ‘My dream story would be reading there is a cure for cancer.’ This would make me a happy news reader. Hopefully one day I will get to do that.”