Over the Christmas break Triple M Newcastle’s much loved breakfast co-host Tanya Wilks found a lump in her breast. She was already scheduled for a mammogram early in the new year, but that then led to a biopsy and late in Feb she pre-recorded a segment with Steve Graham as she took the morning off to get the procedure done.
Tanya was optimistic and positive.
For those who don’t know Tanya, for more than three decades breakfast shows that she has been a part of have been No 1 in the region. She IS Newcastle. As Radioinfo celebrates its 30th birthday our Editor Emeritus Peter Saxon interviewed Tanya and previous co-host of 23 years and Tanya’s beloved friend the late David Collins. He asked them why they hadn’t headed to Sydney, or Melbourne?
Tanya replied:
“My life is here. My son is here and my family and my friends. This is where I am happy.”
She is a beacon of light within the industry and, once I heard the news I too was waiting and hoping for the best possible outcome.
It was benign. But a second check scheduled to be on the safe side.
For International Women’s Day Tanya turned the experience into a positive as MC of a Bubbly Breakfast supporting Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation. The foundation is purely community funded.
On the day a remarkable $64,000 was raised.
Celebrating Tanya, and all the wonderful women serving their communities through their radio roles, every day, not just IWD.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.
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Triple M’s Tanya Wilks – a life of love, laughter and service to Newcastle