This is the story of a courageous and delightful young woman's battle with a life-threatening disease. She's one of Australia's most popular young television actors.
For the fight that Belinda Emmett is waging against a serious return bout of cancer has less to do with celebrity and so much more to do with her bravery and fierce determination, that she will somehow defy the medical odds.
Belinda was born 12.04.74. She grew up with her mum and dad, Laraine and Michael, two brothers named Matthew and Shane and her sister Lesley in Sydney.
Belinda has been singing and acting since she was 12 years old and dancing since she was 5. When Belinda was 17 years old, she was singing in a band for a year and a half and she has also been vocally trained in classical and jazz for 6 years.
After leaving school she headed into a life of acting. She has appeared on many Australian TV shows including her award winning performance on Home & Away, All Saints, Hey Dad, All Time Greatest Bloopers and many more.
But during May 1998 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and suddenly her life was turned upside down.
She got her diagnoses right after her 24th birthday, and it was a very difficult time for her. She decided to bring a TV-team into the hospital. All the difficult days were in full public view and everybody in Australia could share the feelings, the tears and news with her.
She underwent surgery to remove the cancerous lump from her left breast and this was followed by a five-week program of radiation treatment to ensure no cancer cells remained.
Belinda was lucky. Her treatment succeeded and she survived. But that did something to her, and she wanted everybody, and especially young girls, to know that it isn`t just the older group of women who get breast cancer.
After Belinda had her diagnoses she said: "I refused to give in to depression ... you face the terrifying prospect of dying young, but I felt strong ... I really did. Strong and positive, which surprised even me. I honestly believe a positive mind can do anything. I thought, whatever it is, I'll deal with it. I never let myself think what have I got to do before I die."
Her life was back on track and she won a role on the top TV drama show, "All Saints".
After deciding on having a break from All Saints, she received some more bad news. She'd just completed work on her first feature film, the Australian comedy "The Nugget", she started to experience severe back pain. After three years being cancer free - it had returned with vengeance! She immediatley packed up her life and moved from Sydney to Melbourne to be with her Tower of Strength - boyfriend Rove McManus.
Belinda began four months of intense chemotherapy. The diagnosis was Stage 4 cancer that had spread to her bones. The prognosis, the probable outcome with this kind of cancer in her age group, doesn't offer much hope. Her life expectancy measured in years, not decades.
Her Strength - husband and
TV presenter & comedian Rove McManus
Belinda said... "I accepted the diagnosis, but not the prognosis. The prognosis to me is if you're told you've got five years to live, you'll probably die five years to that day."
"At 28, my life so far has been an incredible journey," she says. "And although sometimes the challenges I've faced have seemed overwhelming, overcoming that feeling has given me enormous respect for and faith in the human spirit."
Why did I decided to do my "Inspirational Woman" page on Belinda, you may ask??? She has certainly made me more aware of Breast Cancer and the way she beams with excitment for life after being diagnosed the second time, is a such joy to see. Not only has she touched my life but she has touched my soul.
She is currently trying conventional and herbal medications, eating organic foods, exercise and is seriously fighting this Cancer with all her might!
With the tremendous support of her now husband Rove, her family and all of Australia behind her, I do hope with her positive attitude she will overcome!!!!
She is an inspiration to us all.....
