Jodi Russack

this is for my Dad Dennis Smith who is still with us, he had a stage 4 Melanoma removed from his neck 3 yrs ago. Had radiation and was on a trial drug. Recently they saw something in follow-up imaging, so waiting for results. This is also for others I have known that passed from it and those currently fighting it. Fingers crossed dad that’s it’s just old age xxThanks to Kylie Stringer for the use of the pool and doing the dip with me and Bonny Hill for filming.Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It often develops in or near an existing mole or appears as a new, unusual spot on the skin. Warning signs include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole, or a spot that looks different from others (known as the “ugly duckling” sign). Melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body if not caught early, making early detection critical. It is most commonly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Treatment typically includes surgical removal, and in more advanced cases, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.My target is $1,000 to assist in research, so if you can any little bit helps and thanks to those that have donated

Last and final Dip #8 - a few bundled together as had a week where I was sick. this is a long post.To my dear AUNTY DEBRA CHAMPION , who lost her battle with Liver Cancer in 2006. Again not getting to it quicker as doctors kept telling her it was something else and when told it was too late. XxxLIVER CANCERLiver cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the liver, most commonly as hepatocellular carcinoma. It often develops in people with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C, or cirrhosis caused by alcohol use or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Symptoms may include abdominal pain or swelling, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and loss of appetite. Liver cancer is often diagnosed in later stages, making early detection and regular monitoring in high-risk individuals essential. Treatment options depend on the stage and may include surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.Next, to Gavin’s mate, STU TAYLOR who lost his battle last year to Oesophageal Cancer at age 52, he fought a long battle and dearly missed by many and his cheeky grin and cheekiness.OESOPHAGEAL CANCEROesophageal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the oesophagus, the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It most commonly occurs in the lower or middle part of the oesophagus and is often linked to risk factors such as long-term acid reflux (GORD), smoking, heavy alcohol use, and a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus. Symptoms can include difficulty swallowing (especially solid foods), unintentional weight loss, chest pain, heartburn, or a persistent cough. Because it may not cause symptoms early on, oesophageal cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy depending on the stage and type of the cancer.Finally to the SURVIVORS of all cancers, especially my long term friend and blue family, Ray Moyle who survived Kidney Cancer.KIDNEY CANCERKidney cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering waste from the blood and producing urine. The most common form is renal cell carcinoma, which often develops silently in its early stages. Symptoms, when they appear, may include blood in the urine, persistent back or side pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a family history of kidney cancer. Treatment may involve surgery to remove part or all of the kidney, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or a combination, depending on the stage and spread of the disease.

DIP #7 - this one is for my dearly missed father in law Brian, who we lost to NETs in 2015. Brian was only diagnosed 3 weeks before he passed, doctors kept saying he had gastro! Brian was a man of honour, family man and a Christian. He was still climbing TV towers at 77yrs of age and just before his diagnosis. A neuroendocrine tumour (NET) is a rare type of cancer that arises from neuroendocrine cells, which have traits of both nerve cells and hormone-producing endocrine cells. These tumours can develop anywhere in the body but are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. NETs can be slow-growing (well-differentiated) or more aggressive (poorly differentiated), and may produce hormones that cause distinct symptoms such as flushing, diarrhoea, or wheezing—a condition known as carcinoid syndrome. Because they are often slow to grow and may not produce symptoms early on, NETs can be difficult to detect until they are advanced. Diagnosis typically involves imaging, blood tests, and biopsies, and treatment may include surgery, hormone therapy, targeted therapies, or chemotherapy, depending on the type and stage of the tumour.

This is for a very rare cancer that I only learnt about in recent years, this dip is for all those fighting Urachial Cancer. We went to our friends farm at yundi, I was offered the natural spring dam (but wasn’t sure how I would get out) so opted for a cold bath that I have just realised is the water from the dam. When I decided to do it the temp was 9.7 but then it rained and it dropped to 5.5c and felt like 2.5c. Put it this way it was brrrrrrr!Urachal cancer is a very rare type of cancer that develops in the urachus, a tube that connects a baby’s bladder to the umbilical cord during development in the womb. Normally, the urachus disappears before birth, but in rare cases, cancer can form in the tissue that remains. It usually occurs near the bladder and may cause symptoms such as blood in the urine, abdominal pain, or urinary difficulties, though it is often not detected until later stages. Because of its rarity, urachal cancer can be challenging to diagnose and treat, but management may include surgery, chemotherapy, or other targeted therapies.

this is for my Dad Dennis Smith who is still with us, he had a stage 4 Melanoma removed from his neck 3 yrs ago. Had radiation and was on a trial drug. Recently they saw something in follow-up imaging, so waiting for results. This is also for others I have known that passed from it and those currently fighting it. Fingers crossed dad that’s it’s just old age xxThanks to Kylie Stringer for the use of the pool and doing the dip with me and Bonny Hill for filming.Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It often develops in or near an existing mole or appears as a new, unusual spot on the skin. Warning signs include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole, or a spot that looks different from others (known as the “ugly duckling” sign). Melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body if not caught early, making early detection critical. It is most commonly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Treatment typically includes surgical removal, and in more advanced cases, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.My target is $1,000 to assist in research, so if you can any little bit helps and thanks to those that have donated xx

Dip #5 at my bff house tonight, her mum Valerie died in 2024 to Brain Cancer so this is for her. Couldn’t convince Ari and DeAndre to join me!Brain cancer is a serious condition where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the brain, forming malignant tumours that can disrupt vital functions such as memory, movement, and speech. Symptoms often depend on the tumour’s size and location, but may include persistent headaches, seizures, changes in vision, difficulty speaking, or personality changes. Some brain cancers develop from the brain itself (primary), while others spread from cancers elsewhere in the body (secondary or metastatic). Treatment can involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies, though outcomes vary depending on the type and stage. Early detection and specialised care are key to improving quality of life and survival.

Cold Dip #2 of 10 to raise money and awareness of cancer. This one is for my Uncle Raymond who we buried 2 years ago today, he died from a terrible cancer - Asbestosis. I tried to steam up the shower so it would look like asbestos dust particles. Uncle Raymond was a builder all his life and back then they didn’t know the effects.Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped in the lungs, leading to inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and a gradual stiffening of lung tissue. This results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest tightness, which can worsen over time. Asbestosis typically develops years after exposure and is most common in people who worked in industries like construction, shipbuilding, or manufacturing before the dangers of asbestos were well understood. While there is no cure, managing symptoms and preventing further exposure are key to improving quality of life.

Well I did it, even though I have a cold I had to start my Cold Dips for cancer. Today dip dedicated to David Burford. David lost his battle a very rare cancer NETs. He was strong until the end and missed by all xx The unicorn foundation are the organisation for NETS and the mascot is a zebra coloured unicorn.A neuroendocrine tumour (NET) is a rare type of cancer that arises from neuroendocrine cells, which have traits of both nerve cells and hormone-producing endocrine cells. These tumours can develop anywhere in the body but are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. NETs can be slow-growing (well-differentiated) or more aggressive (poorly differentiated), and may produce hormones that cause distinct symptoms such as flushing, diarrhoea, or wheezing—a condition known as carcinoid syndrome. Because they are often slow to grow and may not produce symptoms early on, NETs can be difficult to detect until they are advanced. Diagnosis typically involves imaging, blood tests, and biopsies, and treatment may include surgery, hormone therapy, targeted therapies, or chemotherapy, depending on the type and stage of the tumour.I will be doing a dip for those close to me or my family. All had different types of cancer and I hope to use this to give you some info about them,