Mollie Quinn

You Can Stay

Everyone has a story.

Everyone has gone through something that has changed them.

My name is Mollie and this is my story.

My story began last December, just before Christmas…

I celebrated my 21st birthday and was looking forward to summer, my favourite season, travelling around with my friends, hitting the beach and having the time of my life as a fit, healthy young adult. 

Little did I know what the universe had in store for me instead. 

Just before Christmas, my world was flipped on its head when I got diagnosed with cancer. As someone who has always enjoyed a fit and healthy lifestyle, I found this diagnosis extremely hard to come to terms with.

However, with the strong support from my family and friends, I knew that I could beat this. So from that moment on, I made it my mission to help others by showing strength, courage and positivity to get through the challenges that lay ahead.

I was diagnosed with a tumour called Myxoid Liposarcoma in my upper right thigh, (5cm by 7cm… the size of a tennis ball) which lead to countless hospital visits, months of radiation treatment, a gruelling reconstructive surgery and months of rehabilitation to learn how to walk again. 

There is no denying that it was the toughest thing I have faced in my life and challenged me both emotionally and physically. 

After 2 months of being wheeled around in a wheelchair, driven by family and friends to numerous physio and hospital visits and weeks upon end on crutches, I am finally able to walk again and am increasing my distance each day! 

During my cancer journey, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the amazing Sony Youth ‘You Can Stay’ initiative, which provided me and my family with a ‘home away from home’ at the Quest Apartments in Melbourne for the duration of my treatment.

Since learning how to walk again, I have found a new appreciation for my health and happiness and now want to give back in any way I can.

In September, I’ll be trekking the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia with my sister Emma for over 6 days, raising funds for the ‘You Can Stay’ program, to give back to the Sony Foundation and the Quest Apartment Hotels, for all the help they gave me and my family during my cancer journey. 

We will cover 86km in tough terrain which is no easy task, but I will be giving it every bit of my strength to help make a difference to other young people aged 15 – 25 going through cancer battles.

‘You Can Stay’ is a national accommodation support service in partnership with Quest Apartments Hotels, funding regional youth cancer patients and their families accommodation, while receiving treatment. Every $100 raised funds a night of emergency accommodation for a youth cancer patient. 

We will be walking this trail with pride and honour for all the cancer victims and their loved ones. 

I would love to have you all share in my next challenge by supporting and donating to such an important cause. 

Mollie xxx