Chanae's story

“I lost the most important person in the world to me to breast cancer last year,” says 33-year-old paramedic Chanae Lowe. “My mum was my everything – we spoke multiple times a day, we did everything together, we loved travelling together, she truly was the best mum – she was my best friend.”   

Chanae is a mum of two herself, with a 3-year-old son and a daughter she welcomed to the world in late 2024. “I wouldn't wish what my family are going through since losing mum on anyone,” she says. “I am sharing my story as breast cancer has affected my family for the last 13 years and now as a mother to a daughter, I just don't want breast cancer to continue ruining lives.”

Chanae’s mum was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at 51 years-old, which had spread to her lymph nodes. She had several months of intensive chemo, radiation, a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chose to have her ovaries removed as precautionary measure.  

At the peak of Covid in 2020, a routine scan revealed the devastating diagnosis that her mum’s cancer had recurred and was now in her bones. She underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.  “Although incurable, the oncologist was positive we would be able to manage this for years to come,” says Chanae. “This was true for the next two-and-a-half years, as mum was able to live a normal life despite monthly bloods and checkups, until mid- 2023 when we found it had gone from her bones to her vital organs.”  

Unfortunately, the cancer did not respond to treatment this time. “Cancer took the life of my mum in September 2023, she was 62,” says Chanae. “I will never say she lost the battle as she fought until the very end to be here for her family.”  

Chanae says it is extremely important for those diagnosed with breast cancer to be able to access information and support. “My mum dived into all things BCNA over the years and was involved in multiple BCNA events and fundraisers,” she says. “Through these events mum was able to connect with people going through the same thing she was.” 

The family has now taken on fundraising for BCNA and attended their first Carman's Fun Run in 2024. Chanae was joined by her dad, husband, son, brother, sister-in-law and close friends to honour their late mum – becoming one of BCNA’s top fundraisers – and in 2025 they will do the same.

This year, Chanae aims be a top fundraiser again, with a personal goal providing additional motivation. “Last year I found out I was pregnant, so I dropped back from the half marathon to the 10kms,” she says. “This year I will be 3 months postpartum, but I will be attempting the half marathon I didn’t get to do last year.” 

Chanae’s mum’s motto was to always live her best life, and Chanae plans to continue that legacy in her mum’s honour.  “Although I'm still in the thick of my grief I want to honour my mum, who really never took anything for granted and felt blessed to get the time she had,” she says. “I want to do the same – not take this life for granted and truly grasp that time is a gift – I want to live my life as happily as I can in honour of my mum.”