Bridgeen’s Battle Is Over, Our War Against Ovarian Cancer Continues Know Your Body, Know Your Normal

By Amanda Wright

On 20th February, the Mackay community lost a warrior.

Bridgeen Doherty, a woman of unyielding strength, compassion, and determination, succumbed to ovarian cancer after a courageous battle. Her passing marks the end of an incredible life but the beginning of a legacy that will continue to save lives and inspire countless women for generations to come.

Bridgeen’s fight against ovarian cancer was not just a personal battle—it was a mission to shine a light on one of the most silent and deadly diseases affecting women today. Diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer just before Christmas in 2019, Bridgeen faced the relentless grip of this ruthless disease with extraordinary courage, grace, and resolve. She named her cancer "Octavia," confronting it with a mix of defiance and determination that became the hallmark of her advocacy.

Throughout her illness, Bridgeen transformed unimaginable pain and fear into a powerful force for good. She dedicated herself to raising awareness about ovarian cancer, ensuring that women knew the early signs and symptoms that could save their lives.

Bridgeen's rallying cry—“Know your body, know your normal”—became more than just a message; it became a lifesaving mantra adopted by the Trudy Crowley Foundation to continue her tireless work.

The Trudy Crowley Foundation honoured Bridgeen with these heartfelt words:

"As a board, we pay honour to a truly remarkable woman, our Ambassador Bridgeen Doherty, who was walking the journey of ovarian cancer. Bridgeen was passionate about raising awareness of this dreadful disease, seizing every opportunity to ensure women know the signs and symptoms. Your abiding strength and passion were inspirational to all who heard you. You have saved many lives with your talks at numerous events. You leave behind an amazing legacy that your Foundation Family will never forget. Thank you to Lassara, Jake, Rorie, and Bridie for supporting your precious mum. We feel blessed and privileged that she was part of our team. Her legacy will live on with us. She will be truly missed. Rest in peace, our Bridgeen."

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer," a term that Bridgeen knew all too well. According to Ovarian Cancer Australia, over 1,500 Australian women are diagnosed each year, with more than 1,000 lives lost annually. The disease is notoriously difficult to detect early because its symptoms are vague and easily dismissed. Early signs—such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, changes in bowel or urinary habits, unexplained fatigue, and back pain—are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions.

Bridgeen’s own experience mirrored this tragic pattern. In an interview with this publication only a month before her passing, she said, “The symptoms were so mild I just put them to one side and didn’t get checked for quite a while. Looking back, I had all the warning signs, but I hadn’t been made aware of what to look out for with ovarian cancer, so I brushed symptoms aside.”

This experience lit a fire within Bridgeen. Determined not to let other women face the same fate, she threw herself into advocacy. Bridgeen created posters detailing ovarian cancer symptoms and placed them on bathroom walls at the Mackay Regional Council, where she worked, under the striking title "The Decommissioning of Octavia." The intent was clear: to catch attention and spur action. Her efforts were successful—many women sought medical advice after seeing her posters, exactly as Bridgeen intended.

Bridgeen’s advocacy took her from local community events to large-scale platforms like the WBBL’s Teal Heels fundraiser at Harrup Park. She shared her story at countless functions, never shying away from the discomfort of discussing her condition if it meant educating others. Bridgeen’s message resonated deeply: early detection could mean the difference between life and death.

One of the most powerful testaments to Bridgeen’s advocacy was a woman who, inspired by Bridgeen’s message, underwent an abdominal ultrasound after a talk. Tragically, she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer—too late to halt the disease, but Bridgeen’s message bought her precious time with her loved ones. “Those additional years became a gift—years filled with love, memories, and a chance to say goodbye—all because she chose to listen that day,” Bridgeen reflected.

Despite her own battle with relentless treatments—eight different types of chemotherapy and immunotherapy—Bridgeen’s resolve never wavered. She stressed the importance of being proactive in health matters:

“Use a yearly indicator, like your birthday, to remind yourself to get checked. Insist on being taken seriously by your doctor, and if you’re not happy, get a second opinion.”

As Bridgeen's health declined and she entered palliative care, she faced the merciless grip of cancer with the same bravery and honesty that had defined her advocacy work. Even in her final days, Bridgeen’s message never faltered—her voice, her cause, remained louder than ever.

Bridgeen leaves behind a family who stood by her with unbreakable love. She also leaves a community forever changed by her strength, courage, and advocacy.

Her legacy is now enshrined within the Trudy Crowley Foundation, ensuring that Bridgeen’s message—“Know your body, know your normal”—continues to educate and save lives.

“Cancer tried to steal my voice, but I won’t be silenced,” she said, using her diagnosis as fuel for a mission far greater than herself.

Bridgeen transformed fear into action, pain into advocacy, and despair into hope.

Her tireless efforts saved lives. Women who heard Bridgeen’s message sought medical advice early, caught symptoms in time, and received life-saving diagnoses—all because Bridgeen dared to speak out. Her legacy isn’t just in the awareness she raised or the lives she helped save; it’s in the countless women empowered to fight their own battles with courage and urgency.

Her voice, her mission, and her spirit will live on through every woman who chooses to listen to her body, to act early, and to fight like Bridgeen—without fear, without regret.

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Bridgeen Doherty (left) with Trudy Crowley Foundation nurse Rosie Stannard and Trudy Crowley Foundation Patron, Amanda Camm. Photos supplied

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