Hosts of The 3PM Pick Up on national KIIS FM network, Zoe Marshall and Monty Dimond, will be celebrating female friendships while helping beat women’s cancers this year, as they come on board as ambassadors for Cancer Council’s Girls’ Night In.
Zoe Marshall lost her mum to breast cancer when she was 21, and she describes her friends as being like her family:
“All my friendships are based on honest and open communication. Everyone has busy lives and I think it’s important to stop sometimes and have a conversation about how lucky we are to be healthy and happy/ Girls’ Night In gives us a chance to have a moment of gratitude with our best girlfriends, hang in our PJs, eat yummy food and talk about what matters in life,” she said.
As a busy mum, Monty sees Girls’ Night In as a great excuse to have fun with the people that matter for a cause that matters:
“I would be completely bonkers without the women in my life. I connect with women on a much deeper level because we can cut the rubbish and get to the important stuff like who is going to win the latest reality TV show (very important) or how we are feeling emotionally and physically. Not much is off limits with my close friends; we know each other so well that if something isn’t right, we can tell straight away.
“For me, good food, couch and conversation are the three ingredients to a great Girls’ Night In!”
The dynamic duo will be encouraging women to get together with their friends this October to have fun for a good cause, by hosting a Girls’ Night In. To find out more behind this inspiring initiate, we spoke to Zoe and Monty to find out more:
Zoe, firstly, I’m so sorry to hear about your mum, it’s so inspiring to see people using a tragic circumstance to do good for others in similar situations. What advice would you have for people that are going through/ have experienced losing a loved on through this terrible disease?
Zoe: The biggest thing I learnt from the loss of my mother is to stay vigilant with my cancer checks. At my age, checking my breasts regularly and keeping up to date with my Pap smears are two really important preventative measures to remember. Early detection can make a real difference, but with the busy and fast paced lives so many of us lead today, sometimes we too easily forget to prioritise our health. I think it’s really important to have these conversations with our girlfriends as well, and don’t be afraid to ask your friends if they’ve had a Pap test recently, or had their breasts checked.
Zoe and Monty, what tips do you have for people that want to show their support for people affected by cancer?
Monty: I think the most important thing to do is to ask how you can help the person or family. Often we don’t know what to say or do when someone gets cancer. But showing you care by food drop offs, asking if you can help with other things around the house or simply putting in a call and being available for a chat over the phone, are all great ways to show you care and that you are there if they need you. Also, treat them as you always have. They may have cancer but they are still ‘them’.
Zoe: It’s super easy to get on board with Cancer Council’s Girls’ Night In this year as well, which is running throughout the whole of October. It’s a great way to have fun for a good cause, with the women in your life who mean the most to you. Your Girls’ Night In can be as simple or as lavish as you like; whether you host a dinner party, hold a pamper session, or have a night in with lots of movies, just make sure you get together with your girlfriends, to help beat women’s cancers.
What is your idea of a girlie night in?
Zoe: Getting the girls together for a night in is all about great company, style and comfort. I love to light candles and decorate the house with lots of fresh flowers, and I always make sure I have lots of soft cushions and throw rugs ready to cosy up to after dinner.
Monty: I completely agree, an ideal girlie night in includes your closest girlfriends, great food, maybe some wine, and real chats about everything and anything.
When not staying in, where do you like to hang out?
Zoe: I love eating! So my idea of a night out is a fabulous restaurant, somewhere like Mr Wongs that has fantastic food and wine, but also a great ambiance.
Monty: I have kids so I do some serious park time. Without kids I like to go out and eat yummy food with my boyfriend. I am bang up for a great Mexican restaurant.
Every day in Australia around 50 women are diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer. Money raised from Cancer Council’s Girls’ Night In helps fund world-class research into women’s cancers, cancer prevention and advocacy programs, and support services to help those affected by women’s cancers at every part of their journey. To register visit www.girlsnightin.com.au
Girls’ Night In is part of Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon, which in 2015 aims to raise $7million nationally.
You can register to host a Girls’ Night In anytime from now, by visiting www.girlsnightin.com.au or calling 1300 65 65 65.
i like zoe