My Dance with the Devil
As a passionate creative, I’m usually working behind the scenes making all kinds of spaces, places and people look amazing so people feel genuinely connected to them. As a Brand Manager and Creative Designer, I’m not usually the one who is centre stage, so dancing to raise awareness and funds for the brilliant work of the Cancer Council will most definitely challenge me! I have been incredibly fortunate to spend the last 21 years of my career growing and developing as a creative leader at Mingara Leisure Group across all of our venues within NSW. It has been the most wonderful and rewarding magic carpet ride, with the most encouraging people who are like my family. It has taken me to places I never dreamed of and given me learning and opportunities that have pushed me far out of my comfort zone. Our vision to make a significant contribution to the quality of community life is why we do what we do and I love this! I’m am so fortunate, that even after all this time, my work continues to challenge and excite me. How blessed I am!
Personally, I’m a mum to 3 wonderful kids, who make me immensely proud. They run me ragged at 10, 13 and 17, but I wouldn’t swap them for the world. We are a Martial Arts family and have been involved in Karate and now Kickboxing with Black Belt Martial Arts (BBMA) for the last decade. It is a discipline, an outlet, a community and a healthy lifestyle choice we enjoy. I started my own Martial Arts 18 months ago, training with one of my best friends and my 17 year old son, both supporting me to become strong again following preventative breast cancer surgeries.
In 2019, I received a letter from my cousin who had been diagnosed with breast cancer a few years earlier…and her mother, my aunty, about 30 years ago. At the time of her breast surgery, my cousin gave permission for her tissue to be tested for research. As a result, we have discovered a genetic mutation within our family attributed to not only breast cancer, but a few other types of cancers too. The letter suggested close family members consider genetic testing to find out if they carried the gene mutation. After losing my Dad very suddenly to cancer in 2015, my brother and I decided to have genetic testing at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital. We were counselled by a Professor and given lots information, then it was a simple blood test. After a 6 week wait, I got the phone call that I had tested positive to our family gene mutation. The feeling of being given that news was like no other feeling I have ever experienced. I was immediately terrified. The gene is not the usual BRCA1/BRCA2 that is widely publicised for breast and ovarian cancer, my mutated gene is called ATM (there are many others too) I was given a horrifying statistic from the Professor. He told me my risk of getting breast cancer was greater than 1:2, so extremely likely and more than the flip of a coin. Heads or tails….it didn’t matter which way that coin landed. My risk of getting breast cancer was almost certain.
I underwent extensive genetic counselling to discuss my options. There were really only 3 choices:
- Ignore it and just get on with my life, not worrying about the potential impacts or future of my children or myself. Not an option for me!
- Scan regularly – mammogram and ultrasound and wait for an early diagnosis. I couldn’t cope with the anxiety before and after every scan for the rest of my healthy life. Not an option for me!
- Be proactive, take control and have preventative surgery. This was the only way I could almost (not entirely) reduce my risk of getting breast cancer. This was the option for me!
In February 2020, I bravely underwent a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at Camperdown in Sydney. Thankfully, my surgery was without complication and I spent 7 days in hospital there under the care of my wonderful surgeon, Dr Paul Chen. I spent the next 3 months recovery with drains and tissue expanders…during the first Covid-19 lockdown. My second surgery for breast reconstruction was delayed, however in June I was called back into surgery to complete the reconstruction surgery swapping tissue expanders for breast implants. Once again, a significant amount of recovery time was needed, however the support from community nurses, Dr Chen and my family and friends got me through. I immediately started exercises and getting my mobility back. 6 week after my reconstruction surgery, I received medical clearance to start Kickboxing. This was my recovery goal…and boy did it feel great to get on that mat!
My decision to undergo preventative surgery was very personal. My family history on my Dad’s side with regards to cancer is dreadful. The line is there and the science has backed it up. My grandfather, my dad, my aunty, my cousin…all got cancer. Then there was me. The one who made it to 46 without a diagnosis. I decided surgery was the only prevention given my family history and the statistics I was presented with. I chose prophylactic surgery for my children firstly. One day, I may need to help them also make this decision and other hard ones, so they need their mum. I want to be here to see them grow, hug them through the good and the bad and one day see their children. I could not let my children go through what I went through watching my Dad deteriorate from cancer. He was diagnosed at Stage 4 and died 6 weeks later.
My family cancer story doesn’t end there. About 7 months after my final surgery, in February 2021, my darling mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 72. She found a lump herself and immediately went to get it checked. Again, we got the news we didn’t want to hear. Mum had Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Her quick action saw immediate surgery followed by months of chemotherapy. Her body didn’t cope well with the chemo, she got very sick and very frail, but she soldiered on. She lost her hair, her eyelashes, her finger and toe nails. Her positive attitude and resilience amazed and inspired us. Following chemo she went straight on to radiation treatment and again, managed this largely on her own because of Covid-19 restrictions. She is now on hormone treatment and we have had great news regarding her follow up scans. We are hopeful her treatment has worked and she will go on to regain her strength and confidence as her body and mind recover.
So these stories are why I’m getting involved with Dancing with the Stars. I’m not sure I’ll be a great dancer, but it’s time to have a bit of fun and turn some negative energy into something positive. In particular, I hope my story around being positive to a mutated cancer causing gene and managing this proactively can help others who find themselves in a similar circumstance. It is, without question, scary and incredibly confronting, but it can be faced and your cancer risk can be significantly reduced.
Thank you to my Sponsors

$2.02k
Clubsnsw Central Coast

$2k
All The Team At Mingara
Go Kim We are all so proud of you !

$500
Sarah Ferman
Fundraising from Movie Night

$430
Mingara Family
Congrats Kim!!

$300
Sarah Ferman
Funds raised Movie Night

$300
Display Power Group
go get em bailey

$298.80
The Roasted Berry, Mingara
Go Kim! the team at the Roasted Berry, Mingara

$279.75
Mingara
Go KIM!! Funds raised

$261
Paul & Lynne Barnett
Go Kimmy

$261
Wayne

$261
William Clark
With love and supporting your journey Kim that I will be inspired by your strength and beliefs to battle the fears of this illness that takes millions of our loved ones. Lots of love Will

$135
Raffle

$121.33
Michelle Williams
Well done Kim. Such a worthy cause. Have an amazing night. xoxo

$105.50
Grace Shannon
❤️❤️

$105.50
Jamie Greene

$105.50
Monique
You give so much joy and inspiration to others Thank you for sharing your story x.

$105.50
Margaret Lamb
Overwhelmed by your story Kim, you are amazing all the best Margaret Lamb (Gracie’s Nan)

$104.40
Catherine Scherer
Kim Im with you all the way, we are looking forward to supporting you on the dance floor, you go girl xx 💗💃 Cath & Miss G

$104.40
Keryn Donovan
Best wishes for a fantastic night - you will be amazing !! X

$104.40
Claire Tuck
I am so proud of you for so many reasons. Love your strength, our liftime friendship and most of all, you. Knock their socks off girl, wish we could be there xxxxx

$104.40
Paul Chen
Such an inspirational story Kim. Looking forward to seeing your dance moves.

$104.40
Daniel And Mark Drysdale Orren
Go you good thing!

$100
Maree Casperson
What can I say Kimmie but I admire what you do which I couldnt do, not because I didnt want too but it was too traumatising for me given my situation. Love you lots for getting out there & promoting us women who need our help 🧡💕💝

$100
Horace
Edan, Tilly, and I love you so much, you make us so proud. Luckiest kids on planet. ❤️

$100
Faire Mohan
So proud of you my beautifull friend....can't wait to see you shine on the dancefloor!💃💃😍😍

$100
The Hainesesesess
We love you Kim!! Your are so strong and inspirational. We’ll be here cheering you on xxx

$100
Daryl
Go YOU! Such an inspiration - MWAH!

$100
Kim Bailey

$52.75
Ashley Stevenson And Melissa Lamb
Love from Ash and Missy

$52.75
Liz Hunt
Congratulations Kim! Well done! x

$52.75
Julie Mackay
Well Done Kim! Hope you have an awesome night xx

$52.75
Jenny Edmunds
You are an amazing women Miss Kim and one of the most inspiring and creative person I know. You’ve been a mentor to me and continue to inspire me everyday.

$52.75
S&jmorrison
So proud of you. Wish we could be there to see you dance😘😘😘

$52.20
Annie Greene
So proud of you my beautiful Daughter. You and Neville will rock this! xoxo

$52.20
Janelle Dmitrieff
You go girl and most of all enjoy every moment Kim xx

$52.20
Roma
You are an inspiration Kim!

$52.20
Sandra
You will be awesome Kim!!

$52.20
Kerrie.carmichael@iinet.net.au Carmichael
Way to go Kim! You are an inspiration and raising money for a fantastic cause. I know you will do great.

$52.20
Georgina
Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order. — Samuel Beckett

$52.20
Alex Wilson
Well done Kim!!!!

$52.20
Roma Gaster
You are one amazing human being Kim!!!

$52.20
Steve Binstadt
You are an amazing person and thank you for sharing your story.

$52.20
Katrina Lagan

$52.20
Julieann Thorley
The world needs more people like you Kim very inspirational have fun dancing you’ve got this x

$52.20
Alison Ayres
Thanks for being so brave and sharing your story to help you there. Good luck in Dancing with the Stars you will be awesome!

$52.20
Missy Lamb
You rock Kim !!!

$52.20
Pos Xx
A privileged passenger in your journey. I'd follow you anywhere my cherished friend. Beyond proud of you, Pos n Co xx

$50
Annie
Beautiful inside & out! You go girl!!!

$50
Tracy Scott
Raffle tickets

$50
Hannah Simmons
Go Kim! What an incredible story you've shared. Your creativity will shine in your dancing I'm sure.

$50
Tracey Antill
Such an inspirational story. Best wishes!!! You’ll be amazing ❤️

$50
Karynne
Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth. 💜💜💜

$50
Kristen Tips
Go Get Em, Kimmy!

$31.65
Shaz Cork
Thank you for sharing your story .. have fun dancing!!

$31.32
Ainslee Park

$26.38
Megan Basedow
Cancer truly is a horrid disease and every bit of awareness counts. You always look amazing and I'm sure you will absolutely dazzle on that dancefloor. Fantastic work Kim 🌻🌻

$26.38
Deb Wai

$26.10
Michelle Pinto
Hope this little bit helps Kim! You are so amazing 👏 💖! Xxx from all the Pintos

$25
Fiona Dunlop

$20.88
Anonymous
Go Kim!

$20
Kylie And Jason Fenton
Raffle Tickets

$20
Danielle Hargraves
Raffle

$15
Nat Middler
Raffle Tickets

$10
Cath Scherer
Raffle tickets
Amazing effort Kim!! We're so proud of what you have achieved for a very worthy cause.