Login
Login

Peta Fortune

Men's Health Month 2026

We shave because he was brave!

My name is Peta, I am a proud employee of the West Moreton Health Foundation and Kalbar Sunflowers.
In January 2023 my husband Tony was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. It was at 1am in a dark room at Ipswich Hospital where we first heard the words... its Cancer. Too many people hear those words and their lives are forever changed. 
Tony and I had been together for 31 years, side by side, I was his sunflower girl, I had been since we met in 1992 and one day he bought me a sunflower he'd pulled from the side of the road roots and all.  The following they say is sunflower history and in that dark room there was no sunshine, no brightness, just those words... its Cancer.
I had to leave him at the hospital that night and go home to our three beautiful boys who are outstanding men and tell them. It broke my heart in a million pieces. 
Tony met with the Oncologist and his team of angels... we were told from the first meeting it was "palliative and the disease was extensive" I was able to get out of them that in plain english... terminal. Tony was determined to start treatment to extend his life. We were told, with treatment he may have 2 years...without 3-6 months. 
On Valentines Day (a day he never believed in) he started an aggressive chemotherapy program, it was brutal. Four weeks later he asked me to shave his head as he was losing his hair, of course I would, he ended up in hospital due to an infection so that day - 15th March 2023 my sons and I surprised him by all shaving our head to support him. I picked him up from hospital and he thought I had only done it... it was when I helped him out of the car he saw our middle son Tom who had hair to his shoulders had shaved and he completely broke down. For Tom this was the first time he had seen his dad sob so much because he was so touched and it meant so much to him. That moment is a core memory we treasure.

Tony died peacefully at home 6 weeks later, he lived 100 days between diagnosis and death. That 100 days was the most treasured, so full of love and at time ridiculous laughter, we had agreed as a family we had to maintain our sense of humour. Tony wanted to die at home, we honoured that wish and made his final days beautiful. He thanked us, silly bugger... to Jack, Tom, Harry and I he was our world. 
Since that first shave we have done it again each year on the 15th March we do it again to honour him and raise funds for Cancer and Palliative Care. 
This year we are fundraising for Men's Health, something so important and meaningful. Tony was a typical man who brushed off obvious symptoms and ignored signs. Men need to man up and focus on their health more. After Tony died so quickly I had many male friends say they were stepping up and getting necessary checks and if that helps one person it matters. 



Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,710

My Goal

$2,000

Select amount to donate

$35
$50
$80
$
Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My Updates

We did it!

Sunday 15th Mar
Today we stuck with tradition and shaved because he was brave  💛
As expected.there was plenty of laughs and fond memories shared. We are so grateful for everyone's support and donations!
Donations will be accepted all of March for Men's Health 

Thank you so much

Thursday 26th Feb
Its only been a day and Im overwhelmed by the support. Thank you so much. 
I put my posters up at the cafe today and that opened a conversation with a regular customer and colleague who is also a widower, it created a connection of mutual understanding. The death of your person is like no other. 

Thank you to my Sponsors

$211

Scott Young

Well done Peta for a great cause

$106.12

Mark

$106.12

Laura Jenkinson

$106.12

Lyn Birnie

Thank you for your fundraising efforts. Thinking of you and your family as you honour your husband’s memory.

$106.12

Jenny Jenner

With you every step of the way 💙

$105

Cafe Supporters ❤️

$54.12

Anonymous

For Tony and all the other great Aussie men put there that had, or will have their life cut short.

$54.12

Corrin

Love your work Peta!

$54.12

Mitch Petersen

Thank you for making a difference!

$54.12

Alan Morley

Good going Peta.

$54.12

Tanya Miller

$54.12

Jacinta

What a special way to honour Tony’s memory. Peta, thank you for all the care and dedication you bring to the Foundation—it’s so appreciated.

$54.12

Kym

Such a touching story and a special reason for your fundraising. I know you will make 15 March memorable for you and your boys xo

$54.12

Peter Fortune

$54.12

Darryl Ward

Go for it Peta, in memory of Tony

$54.12

Emily L

Great work Peta xx

$50

The Fortune Five

For my love, I miss you beyond words.

$50

Katrina Wyatte

Thankyou and goodluck.....xxxx

$43.60

Janelle Box

Good on you all 💜

$38.33

Bobby Skidmore

You are an amazing, strong and beautiful human being. You're husband would and I bet is so proud of your strength and who you have become.

$38

Cafe Supporters ❤️

$33.15

John M

Basically, you rock

$27.81

Donna Lyle

$27.81

Savi

What a special way of honouring Tony’s memory

$27.21

Jazzy

Much Love Pete

$22.58

Janet Livermore

$22.58

Mel

$11.65

Anonymous

$11.65

Anonymous

$11.65

Denise

Good going Peta.

$6.13

Kylie

$6.13

Anonymous