27-06-2025
'While I draw breath, I will fight': how Carrington Bowlo keeps Jaci alive
At age 60, Jaci Lappin was given six to 18 months to live.
That was six years ago.
Ms Lappin, Carrington Bowling Club's CEO, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.
She said the love of her job had kept her going.
"I have a positive attitude and feel a lot of support from the club's members and staff," she said.
She had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, but later developed a heart condition due to cardiotoxicity from the chemo.
"I didn't even know there was such a thing to be quite honest."
She was rushed to hospital after suffering an acute cardiomyopathy attack.
"I went into heart and kidney failure. Both were a direct result of all the chemo," she said.
"I am certainly not suggesting people shouldn't have chemo. The reality is I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't had the chemo."
Ms Lappin shared her story to support Hunter Medical Research Institute's appeal for donations before the financial year's end.
She was treated by HMRI professors Aaron Sverdlov and Doan Ngo.
They lead a team at HMRI that is developing a drug combination that treats cancer and protects the heart.
In preclinical models, the drugs improved toxicity to the heart.
Professor Sverdlov published research in 2023, which found cancer survivors had "an eight-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease".
The research shows one in three Australians living with cancer will develop cardiovascular disease due to the cardiotoxicity of treatments and other risk factors.
"Most cancer patients are unaware of the potential heart risks associated with treatment," Professor Sverdlov said in February.
"Many do not receive the care needed to prevent heart disease."
Ms Lappin said her heart condition was now "under control with medication prescribed by Professor Sverdlov".
She also had a cardiac ablation procedure, as her heart had been experiencing atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat.
"Now my heart is tracking nicely and they're monitoring my kidney function."
When she first got the job at the bowling club, it was "badly in debt".
She discovered this around the same time she was diagnosed with cancer.
"When I came in we had 200 members. We've now got 7500," she said.
"We've now had 11 years of profit in a row. We've tried to make it a venue that's all about community, diversity and inclusivity.
"I just feel nestled and loved by my tribe. Nothing will stop me from fighting for them."
This month, Ms Lappin learned her cancer had returned.
"When they did an X-ray, they found two broken ribs," she said.
The cancer in her bones has started to move, so she will soon start more radiation treatment.
"We're about to have another dance," she said, adding that "a dash of humour is the only way to approach it".
"I've changed to a different type of medication that hopefully won't turn me into Godzilla.
"I've been in this position before and managed to wangle my way around it."
She plans to "keep beating it".
"While I draw breath, I will fight for me and this club."
Visit
At age 60, Jaci Lappin was given six to 18 months to live.
That was six years ago.
Ms Lappin, Carrington Bowling Club's CEO, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.
She said the love of her job had kept her going.
"I have a positive attitude and feel a lot of support from the club's members and staff," she said.
She had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, but later developed a heart condition due to cardiotoxicity from the chemo.
"I didn't even know there was such a thing to be quite honest."
She was rushed to hospital after suffering an acute cardiomyopathy attack.
"I went into heart and kidney failure. Both were a direct result of all the chemo," she said.
"I am certainly not suggesting people shouldn't have chemo. The reality is I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't had the chemo."
Ms Lappin shared her story to support Hunter Medical Research Institute's appeal for donations before the financial year's end.
She was treated by HMRI professors Aaron Sverdlov and Doan Ngo.
They lead a team at HMRI that is developing a drug combination that treats cancer and protects the heart.
In preclinical models, the drugs improved toxicity to the heart.
Professor Sverdlov published research in 2023, which found cancer survivors had "an eight-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease".
The research shows one in three Australians living with cancer will develop cardiovascular disease due to the cardiotoxicity of treatments and other risk factors.
"Most cancer patients are unaware of the potential heart risks associated with treatment," Professor Sverdlov said in February.
"Many do not receive the care needed to prevent heart disease."
Ms Lappin said her heart condition was now "under control with medication prescribed by Professor Sverdlov".
She also had a cardiac ablation procedure, as her heart had been experiencing atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat.
"Now my heart is tracking nicely and they're monitoring my kidney function."
When she first got the job at the bowling club, it was "badly in debt".
She discovered this around the same time she was diagnosed with cancer.
"When I came in we had 200 members. We've now got 7500," she said.
"We've now had 11 years of profit in a row. We've tried to make it a venue that's all about community, diversity and inclusivity.
"I just feel nestled and loved by my tribe. Nothing will stop me from fighting for them."
This month, Ms Lappin learned her cancer had returned.
"When they did an X-ray, they found two broken ribs," she said.
The cancer in her bones has started to move, so she will soon start more radiation treatment.
"We're about to have another dance," she said, adding that "a dash of humour is the only way to approach it".
"I've changed to a different type of medication that hopefully won't turn me into Godzilla.
"I've been in this position before and managed to wangle my way around it."
She plans to "keep beating it".
"While I draw breath, I will fight for me and this club."
Visit
At age 60, Jaci Lappin was given six to 18 months to live.
That was six years ago.
Ms Lappin, Carrington Bowling Club's CEO, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.
She said the love of her job had kept her going.
"I have a positive attitude and feel a lot of support from the club's members and staff," she said.
She had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, but later developed a heart condition due to cardiotoxicity from the chemo.
"I didn't even know there was such a thing to be quite honest."
She was rushed to hospital after suffering an acute cardiomyopathy attack.
"I went into heart and kidney failure. Both were a direct result of all the chemo," she said.
"I am certainly not suggesting people shouldn't have chemo. The reality is I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't had the chemo."
Ms Lappin shared her story to support Hunter Medical Research Institute's appeal for donations before the financial year's end.
She was treated by HMRI professors Aaron Sverdlov and Doan Ngo.
They lead a team at HMRI that is developing a drug combination that treats cancer and protects the heart.
In preclinical models, the drugs improved toxicity to the heart.
Professor Sverdlov published research in 2023, which found cancer survivors had "an eight-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease".
The research shows one in three Australians living with cancer will develop cardiovascular disease due to the cardiotoxicity of treatments and other risk factors.
"Most cancer patients are unaware of the potential heart risks associated with treatment," Professor Sverdlov said in February.
"Many do not receive the care needed to prevent heart disease."
Ms Lappin said her heart condition was now "under control with medication prescribed by Professor Sverdlov".
She also had a cardiac ablation procedure, as her heart had been experiencing atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat.
"Now my heart is tracking nicely and they're monitoring my kidney function."
When she first got the job at the bowling club, it was "badly in debt".
She discovered this around the same time she was diagnosed with cancer.
"When I came in we had 200 members. We've now got 7500," she said.
"We've now had 11 years of profit in a row. We've tried to make it a venue that's all about community, diversity and inclusivity.
"I just feel nestled and loved by my tribe. Nothing will stop me from fighting for them."
This month, Ms Lappin learned her cancer had returned.
"When they did an X-ray, they found two broken ribs," she said.
The cancer in her bones has started to move, so she will soon start more radiation treatment.
"We're about to have another dance," she said, adding that "a dash of humour is the only way to approach it".
"I've changed to a different type of medication that hopefully won't turn me into Godzilla.
"I've been in this position before and managed to wangle my way around it."
She plans to "keep beating it".
"While I draw breath, I will fight for me and this club."
Visit
At age 60, Jaci Lappin was given six to 18 months to live.
That was six years ago.
Ms Lappin, Carrington Bowling Club's CEO, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.
She said the love of her job had kept her going.
"I have a positive attitude and feel a lot of support from the club's members and staff," she said.
She had a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, but later developed a heart condition due to cardiotoxicity from the chemo.
"I didn't even know there was such a thing to be quite honest."
She was rushed to hospital after suffering an acute cardiomyopathy attack.
"I went into heart and kidney failure. Both were a direct result of all the chemo," she said.
"I am certainly not suggesting people shouldn't have chemo. The reality is I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't had the chemo."
Ms Lappin shared her story to support Hunter Medical Research Institute's appeal for donations before the financial year's end.
She was treated by HMRI professors Aaron Sverdlov and Doan Ngo.
They lead a team at HMRI that is developing a drug combination that treats cancer and protects the heart.
In preclinical models, the drugs improved toxicity to the heart.
Professor Sverdlov published research in 2023, which found cancer survivors had "an eight-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease".
The research shows one in three Australians living with cancer will develop cardiovascular disease due to the cardiotoxicity of treatments and other risk factors.
"Most cancer patients are unaware of the potential heart risks associated with treatment," Professor Sverdlov said in February.
"Many do not receive the care needed to prevent heart disease."
Ms Lappin said her heart condition was now "under control with medication prescribed by Professor Sverdlov".
She also had a cardiac ablation procedure, as her heart had been experiencing atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat.
"Now my heart is tracking nicely and they're monitoring my kidney function."
When she first got the job at the bowling club, it was "badly in debt".
She discovered this around the same time she was diagnosed with cancer.
"When I came in we had 200 members. We've now got 7500," she said.
"We've now had 11 years of profit in a row. We've tried to make it a venue that's all about community, diversity and inclusivity.
"I just feel nestled and loved by my tribe. Nothing will stop me from fighting for them."
This month, Ms Lappin learned her cancer had returned.
"When they did an X-ray, they found two broken ribs," she said.
The cancer in her bones has started to move, so she will soon start more radiation treatment.
"We're about to have another dance," she said, adding that "a dash of humour is the only way to approach it".
"I've changed to a different type of medication that hopefully won't turn me into Godzilla.
"I've been in this position before and managed to wangle my way around it."
She plans to "keep beating it".
"While I draw breath, I will fight for me and this club."
Visit
