Ballina turned out in force today to support Jane Weal-Sheehan, who begins chemotherapy tomorrow to fight an extremely rare and aggressive cancer — so rare she is believed to be only the fifth person in Australia ever diagnosed.

The lunch at Saltbush restaurant, hosted by restaurateur Danny Singh, was filled with emotion, generosity and a clear message of solidarity: Jane, her husband Tere, and their family will not be facing this battle alone.

Jane is already no stranger to resilience. As reported earlier by Ballina News Daily, she recently underwent major surgery to remove a brain tumour and while she was in hospital, doctors discovered more cancerous growths on her brain.

Now, just weeks later, she faces months of intensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

“She’s one tough cookie”

Tere was unable to attend, choosing to remain by Jane’s side as she prepares for treatment. Their eldest daughter, Kait, spoke on behalf of the family, reading a message from her father.

“Never in our lives did we anticipate this overwhelming support,” Tere wrote.

 “Jane has two great passions –  our family, and supporting me in my work.

“She’s always avoided the spotlight, but today it is rightly hers. Tomorrow she begins the fight of her life, but we are holding on to the hope she’ll be home, healthy and happy, in time for Christmas.

“That’s Jane’s optimism, her upbeat attitude shining through. She’s one tough cookie.”

A community gives back

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader praised both Jane and Tere for their years of service to the community, highlighting Tere’s tireless efforts as head of Cherry Street Sports Club.

“After the 2022 floods, Tere was the first to open the club doors as an evacuation centre.

“He has rallied behind countless fundraising efforts and always lifted others up when they needed it most,” she said.

 “Now it’s our turn to be there for Jane and Tere.

“Today is about more than raising funds – it’s about showing them they are surrounded by the strength of this community.”

Rotary’s Col Lee also told of Tere’s generosity, from sponsoring the return of Ballina’s hot meal centre during COVID to pledging $50,000 for flood relief in 2022.

“There wouldn’t be a person here who hasn’t been helped by Tere or Cherry Street Sports,” Mr Lee said.

 “Now it’s our chance to turn on the lights for their family and show our love.”

Fundraising success

The lunch featured raffles and a lively auction, with dozens of local businesses donating prizes raising more than $20,000 to support the family.

Organisers said the level of generosity was overwhelming, with major pledges made within days of the event being announced.

MC Dave Harmon, from Rotary, summed up the atmosphere:

“When you look at the support in this room, it shows just how much Jane and Tere mean to Ballina.

“This is about lifting them up, the same way they’ve lifted so many others.”

Hope for Christmas

As Jane embarks on four and a half months of treatment, her family and community are holding tight to her belief that she’ll be well enough to come home by Christmas.

As Tere’s message put it:

“In Jane’s words, there will only be one winner on this journey — and that will be me.”