Adelaide fashion design student Athena Kambanos was in the process of designing a dress to promote Cancer Council South Australia’s fundraiser for Daffodil Day 2024 when her doctor discovered a lump in her breast.
According to The Advertiser, the TAFE student had previously seen a doctor about nipple discharge late last year. Her results came back normal. Later, she visited another doctor for back issues and mentioned the discharge again. This time she was referred to a breast specialist.
“My specialist told me it was a papilloma which puts you at higher risk of developing cancer if not taken out early,” Athena, who is in her final year of an advanced diploma fashion design at TAFE SA city campus, told The Advertiser.
A papilloma is a benign tumour, and while non-cancerous, they are linked with a higher risk of cancer. Athena said while her papilloma had no cancer cells, she was “one of the lucky ones.”
Athena’s outfit is now on display at Cancer Council SA on Greenhill Rd at Eastwood in the lead up to Daffodil Day on Thursday, August 22. It will later be on show at Burnside Village Shopping Centre until September 1 where the public can vote for their favourite design.
Daffodil Day is a yearly campaign run by Cancer Council and raises much-needed funds for cancer research.
“I felt deeply connected to this project and I wanted to design and make something to be proud of,” Athena said.
“This truly represented hope, life and freedom. It resonated so deeply with me and feels sentimental and close to me.”
If you want to donate or buy daffodils throughout August to raise funds for cancer research, see daffodilday.com.au.
Source: The Advertiser
