Shining the Frock Spot on: Lisa Robey

We were really touched when we read Lisa's story and we think you will be as well.   It really highlighted for us the different ways in which Ovarian Cancer can suddenly impact a life and that of those people around them.

Meet the fabulous Lisa Robey.

Describe yourself in a couple of sentences

I am a Canberra girl who loves her family, friends, food and frocks.  I work for a local company, Wizard Power as their Marketing and Communications Manager and thank my colleagues for bearing with me as I turn up in some not so appropriate work wear.  I’m a dancer in my spare time, ceroc and tango, finding frocks that don’t cause wardrobe malfunctions while dancing is proving to be a challenge!

I believe that something good happens every day, even if you need a microscope to find it, so I live my life focused on the positive.

Why Frocktober?  What made you choose to be involved?

A few months ago a colleague at work mentioned this thing called Frocktober to support ovarian cancer research, just when I was dealing with the news that a very close friend of the family was dying of it.  It seemed a very fitting tribute to Aunty Sue as she used to make us our party frocks when we were little girls and a really positive thing that I could do in reaction to a terrible event in our lives at the time.


Do you have a personal story or connection with Ovarian Cancer?

In May this year my Mum was holidaying with her best friend, known to us as Aunty Sue.  One day Mum noticed Sue was occasionally in pain and told her to get it checked out.  In June she was diagnosed with cancer, she died in September.  Mum was there with her for the tests and diagnosis, then sat by her bedside every day from the moment she went into hospital for initial treatment, through the news that it was terminal, right to the end.

It has been a terrible few months dealing with both the emotions and the practicalities of death and it has shown to me that there is nothing so important as your family and friends.

This sudden onset seems to be a common story for those with ovarian cancer as there is no early detection test, so anything I can do to help the research find a test like that and prevent families going through what we have the past few months will be worth it.

What has been the best thing so far for you about the month?

I love dresses and am having a lovely time wearing them, but by far and away the best thing has been the support I’ve received from friends and family.  I’ve had support of all kinds, financial, emotional and frocktal and it has just made me feel so loved by the people around me.

Is there a favourite frock in your wardrobe?  Why is your favourite? How does it make you feel?

I have too many to narrow down to one, but generally what they share in common is a swishy skirt!  There is no doubt that I’m one girly girl and swishing about in a skirt makes me feel all the more feminine, I just love it.

What's your message for the month?

There are times in our lives that we feel helpless, facing the death of a loved one to cancer is one of those.  But we can do something, our actions do matter.  So do whatever you can, because positive action, whatever way it comes, will make a difference.


You can help Lisa raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation here at her Everyday Hero page.