By Margaret Maccoll
A brush with cancer encouraged Sharon Lagden and her husband to dramatically alter their lives, moving from high-stress corporate living in Sydney to a healthier Noosa life.
Following a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2009, Sharon decided to toss in her IT job of 27 years and retrain to become a grief and loss counsellor to help other people dealing with breast cancer.
“My husband and I decided to de-stress our lives,” she said.
The couple moved to Noosa where they also run a limousine business and Air BnB.
Sharon said their income had dropped considerably but they got by financially and were emotionally in a much better place.
Sharon joined the Wednesday morning paddle group at Boardwalk Boats for women with breast cancer 18 months ago and will participate in the upcoming Paddle in Pink cancer fund-raiser.
The ladies spend an hour on paddle boards thanks to the generosity of Boardwalk Boats operators Lachlan Stevens and his mother Lorraine, and regularly continue with a coffee and chat.
“You meet some lovely ladies and we’re all in the same boat,” she said.
Paddle in Pink will be held on 15 October. To participate register by 12 October at paddleinpink.gofundraise.com.au
Cost is $20, children under 15 free and pink attire is optional.
