Take a bow Nikita Falconer, you are simply amazing

WE THROW the word hero around a lot. Sports people, celebrities, entertainers.

Let me tell you who I think is a real hero.

Nikita Falconer is an incredibly brave lady, who has used the hand dealt to her to make a difference for other local cancer sufferers.

In May of 2022, the local 32-year-old mother of two young girls, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.

She was sent to Brisbane for surgery to remove the cancer that had spread in her body.

After four more operations, 30 days in hospital, including five of them in ICU, her initial cancer treatment was prolonged by ten weeks.

She then set about her 12 weeks of chemotherapy at the Forbes Cancer Care Centre, located at St Stephen’s Hospital.

Sadly, many of our readers will know this place well.

I certainly know it well, as my wife spent 12 weeks there last year as well, on her own breast cancer journey.

Just like Nikita, my wife was lucky enough to have access to the cold cap machine. Think of a helmet that pumps super cold liquid around your head to stop the chemo from taking all your hair.

It’s no walk in the park, adds about three additional hours to your already horrendous treatment day, and I’m told feels like the worst brain freeze you’ll ever get.

There was a problem though. There was only one machine in Hervey Bay, that just two ladies could share at any time. That wasn’t enough.

Nikita knew that this vital piece of machinery helped ladies to feel a little bit more normal, even if they didn’t really. It helped them to maintain a deeply personal sense of dignity. To not look sick.

She planned and executed an epic event at the Beach House Hotel last month and raised more than $130,000 to fund a second cold cap machine.

The community played its part and it was one of those projects, where you cannot help but feel the indelible human spirit.

This driven young lady did this to help others. She drove the whole thing. It was selfless, brave and incredibly humbling.

Nikita Falconer, you are a champion.

Mayor George Seymour – I don’t know how she can be recognised, but let’s do it.