Donna Penny is a mother of two living on borrowed time. Diagnosed with breast cancer at just 35 years of age (in 2008), she underwent a double mastectomy and was given the all clear until the return five years later and she was given the devastating news that it had spread to other parts of her body. Despite receiving such heart-wrenching news, Donna fulfilled her dream and opened a hair salon with her two best friends.

Given just two years to live, Donna is what she calls past her ‘expiry date’ and is living every day to the fullest. As you can imagine, this battle has had a tremendous impact on those nearest and dearest to Donna, especially her 12 year old son Kai who was one of the main inspirations behind Donna’s book ‘Why My Mummy?’. Donna created the book almost three years ago and it has been featured far and wide… the aim was to leave behind a legacy for her family and the world to remember her by and she has certainly achieved that!

Donna, tell us about the inspiration behind ‘Why My Mummy?’

When I was first diagnosed I searched far and wide for children’s books about cancer to help explain to my son Kai what was happening to me, but found nothing except doom, gloom and disaster. I couldn’t find a single book to read to Kai about cancer. How do you explain to a child what terminal meals? Why your hair is falling out? How can I help my son to process the fear of losing me?”

One morning, Kai’s dad was driving him to school and Kai asked, “Why out of all the mummy’s in the world does this have to happen to my mum?”. This was the impossible question that inspired ‘Why My Mummy?’, a book that shares Kai’s experience of his Mother’s cancer. I wrote the book from Kai’s perspective in the hope that it would help other parent’s talk to their kids about terminal illness.

That was three years ago and the book has been featured far and wide?

I’m thrilled that it’s been featured all over Australia and has been such a success. Carrie Bickmore from The Project flew to the Sunshine Coast so that she could interview me and share my story on the show that was fantastic.

You have two beautiful boys – tell us about them…

Kai is now 12 and my next goal is to make it to his 13th birthday in June. I wanted to see him start high school which is this year, yayyyy!  I’m a big believer to have goals and things to look forward to. Kai was only 22 months when I first got cancer at 35 so he’s only known a mum who’s been sick. My other boy Aiden is a big beautiful 23 year old.

You’ve not been afraid to share your story and have worked tirelessly to support others and get to know others with cancer… when do you find time for you?

I don’t really have any hobbies,  just spending time with my family and friends gives me the greatest feeling of love.

What I really do miss about life is not feeling like ‘me’ anymore.  I have no energy, fatigue is a killer and there’s always pain. I should be out living life and not feeling so old and tired. I’d love to go back to the gym and take long walks, but unfortunately my liver is around 90% cancer now and it has spread all through my bones and adrenal glands.

Your positive attitude is infectious and obviously gets you through some of the tough times?

The Doctors have still given me only 6 months to live but I say 6 years! I was told that I had no treatment options after this round of chemo, only an injection which we were not sure would work, however yesterday my oncologist found another chemo I can try in 3 weeks time. Fingers crossed this buys me more time!

I just want my story to be able to inspire anyone who is sick. It’s also important to love hard and not to sweat the little stuff.

Eat that cake, take that holiday and buy those shoes!