Robyn Smith of Sydney, our most dedicated City2Surf participant. This year, she’s on track for her sixth no-shirt run! The City2Surf, held in Sydney and this year celebrating its 55th running, will draw another 90,000 runners. Smith’s mission is to raise $8,000 for Inherited Cancers Australia. This not-for-profit organization provides support to those with a very strong family history of cancer.
Six years ago, Smith had a double mastectomy in order to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer. In 2021, as a preventative measure against cancer, she made the decision to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as well. She has the BRCA2 gene mutation, which raises her risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer so much that she has chosen to get a preventive double mastectomy. Her mother’s battle with ovarian cancer, diagnosed in 2012, has further fueled Smith’s commitment to raising awareness about hereditary cancer.
By deciding to run shirtless, Smith hopes to spark conversation about the current expectation of breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. She wants to help dispel the taboo surrounding life after breast removal. Running together with her first-born daughter, Emily, Smith explains that the focus on visibility and connection is paramount to the event.
A Personal Journey
Smith’s experience with cancer started when she found out about her mother’s diagnosis. The burden of this family history motivated her to be proactive in controlling her own health risks.
“I’m able to manage my cancer risk. She’s saved my life, and unfortunately she died because she didn’t get the knowledge that I am privileged to have,” Smith said. It’s her commitment to inform others that motivates her at every turn. Just as she herself found, she wants others to be able to access life-saving information.
“I also want people to know that there’s lots of women out there that live flat after a mastectomy, healthily and happily,” she expressed.
Smith runs in the City2Surf to connect with people who might not be aware of their genetic predisposition. To do this, she wants to empower them to help patients consider genetic testing. “You know the demand for genetic testing is just continuing to go through the roof,” she noted, underlining the growing awareness and need for preventive measures within families impacted by cancer.
Support from the Community
Also joining Robyn Smith in this year’s City2Surf is Professor Richard Scolyer, who’ll be taking part with his family. Now Scolyer is fundraising for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a not-for-profit organization that provides advanced cancer treatment and research. Diagnosed with terminal brain cancer earlier this year, Scolyer hasn’t let his diagnosis put a damper on his work ethic or zest for life.
I’m absolutely delighted to still be here. It’s normal that 75 percent will be dead within a year,” Scolyer remarked about his situation. Despite all that he has endured, his resilience and dedication to raising awareness shine through as he trains for the event.
Of it, Scolyer says he is “absolutely salivating at the opportunity to do that.” They are truly remarkable folks just wanting to ride and bring awareness to brain cancer and its broader effects on families. “I’m pleased about being able to participate and enjoy life and use this opportunity of time and interactions with people to tell them about this disease and what we need to do,” he stated.
The deep bond forged over years of collaboration between Smith and Scolyer is at the core of their shared mission of education and advocacy for patients touched by cancer. Scolyer expressed excitement about participating in such a large event: “It’s going to be amazing to be with that many people. I can’t wait to go down there especially with my wife hand-in-hand — it will be terrific.”
A Call for Change
Watch the full conversation above to hear why both participants believe community is vital to solving our most pressing cancer challenges. For Smith, running bare-chested is a radical act of resistance to the stigma around bodies after surgery.
I’m going to be going for exposure rather than speed, so it’ll just be getting amongst and talking to as many people as I can about the cause and really raising awareness, Smith expressed. Her message is the truth that connects with everyone who feels like nobody else understands what they’re going through.
Smith is crowdfunding for the establishment of Inherited Cancers Australia. She hopes to display her scars, painted with the words “flat out of funding.” This audacious ask is just the tip of the iceberg to lead discussions on how we fund cancer research and survivorship services.
