Help realise goodbye dream

Tracey Ryan with Sharon Driessen and Gillian Tong.

By CASEY NEILL

CRANBOURNE North mum Tracey Ryan is calling for winning Tattslotto numbers to make her final dreams come true.
The 50-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010 and it’s since spread to her spine, ribs, lungs and liver. Doctors say the disease will soon claim her life.
“But that’s only a figure,” she said.
“We could all go out tomorrow and get hit by a truck.”
She only has two items to complete on the bucket list she wrote in 2012, after ticking off a party with friends and family on 29 November.
Up to 100 people gathered at a friend’s home for dancing, laughs and hugs.
“It was just a really good vibe,” she said.
“My life’s journey has not been easy, but I have learnt one thing that if you have family, friends and love you can get through anything.
On 20 September, Tracey watched her daughter, Erin, get married.
She skydived on her wedding anniversary last year, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with son Leigh, and on 24 July received a makeover from Westfield Fountain Gate and Myer.
Now her focus is on returning to Northern Ireland with husband Andrew to say goodbye to her family – the place where half of her ashes will be scattered.
“We’re still staying positive and upbeat,” she said.
“I just need the Tattslotto numbers.”
A friend has set up a fund-raising page to help make the dream come true.
“There is an opportunity to give an amazing gift to a lady who has been fighting for so long – who deserves to find joy in every breath that she takes,” the page says.
Finding a cure for breast cancer also remains on Tracey’s list.
“I don’t want anyone else or their families to have to go through this,” she said.
Tracey works with Pink Hope, Breast Cancer Network Australia and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and directs Young Pink Sisters, a charity that fellow breast cancer sufferers set up to give back.
She’s encouraging women and men to “check their boobs”.
Visit www.gofundme.com/traceysgoodbye to support her trip.