Runner Honors Friend While Battling Stage Four Ovarian Cancer

In less than two weeks, Anna Harris will participate in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, a grueling race that symbolizes not just her determination but also serves as a tribute to her late friend, Wendy Gerritsen, who succumbed to ovarian cancer. Harris, who is 47 years old, is driven by a promise she made to Gerritsen before her passing to carry on her legacy and raise awareness about this often-overlooked disease.

“Completing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast was on my bucket list because my dad had done it. Wendy was so excited for me and very encouraging,” Harris recalled. After learning she had secured a spot in the race, she expressed her overwhelming emotions: “I cried the whole day.”

Health Crisis Unfolds

In October 2023, Harris began experiencing abdominal pain, initially dismissing it as a minor issue. However, as the pain intensified, she sought medical help, expecting a simple prescription for antibiotics. The situation quickly escalated when nurses recognized the seriousness of her condition, leading to a series of blood tests and an ultrasound.

Within hours, she was admitted to the gynaecology ward at Christchurch Hospital. “I saw maybe ten different doctors and nurses who asked me what felt like a million questions,” she said. The gravity of her situation became apparent when a doctor informed her that they were dealing with “something a lot more sinister, like cancer.” Harris initially laughed, insisting she felt fine.

Over the next month, she prepared for major surgery without a clear understanding of her diagnosis. The moment she woke from surgery, however, was devastating. “We found cancer,” the doctors informed her. They had removed tumors from multiple organs, including her lungs, liver, bowel, stomach, ovaries, and uterus. Harris was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and given a grim prognosis of 12 to 18 months to live if treatment was effective.

“I was just in shock. I kept thinking about my daughters. I wanted to see them turn 21, get married, and have kids,” she reflected. Faced with a life-altering diagnosis, Harris made difficult decisions, including selling her business and planning her funeral.

A New Hope

Everything changed when she was offered a medication called Olaparib. While there was no guarantee of success, her body responded remarkably well. Doctors later informed her that she now had a 70% chance of living another seven years. “My whole life changed. I thought, well, what do I want to do with this time I’ve been given?” Harris said.

Earlier this year, she became a qualified personal trainer and now works at Flex Fitness in Prebbleton. Through her new role, she shares her passion for movement and resilience, aiming to inspire others facing similar challenges.

Harris is committed to using her participation in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast to raise awareness and funds for the Ovarian Cancer Foundation. “Ovarian cancer is often called the ‘silent killer.’ Most women are diagnosed at stage three or four, when the prognosis is very grim,” she explained. “There aren’t any routine screening tests like there are for breast cancer. I had literally no symptoms. That’s the thing with ovarian cancer; it’s so easy to miss.”

As Harris prepares to take her place at the starting line on Kumara Beach, she is fueled by the memory of Wendy and the triumph of survival. With the support of her family cheering her on, she embodies the spirit of resilience and determination that defines not only her journey but also the fight against ovarian cancer.