POLICEWOMAN Natalie Newman is losing her battle with ovarian cancer but her colleagues at Kogarah are making sure her daughter will get the education Ms Newman wanted her to have.
St George’s top cop, Superintendent Dave Donohue, is swimming from La Perouse to Dolls Point on December 7, to raise money for eight-year-old Emily Newman.
More more than $46,000 has been raised so far. He hopes training 30 kilometres a week for the challenge will give Emily the future she deserves.
Ms Newman, 33, recovered from cancer in 2007 only to be diagnosed with inoperable ovarian cancer in July this year.
She is now living with her mother in Beverly Hills, and says she feels sick at the prospect of leaving Emily.
‘‘The most devastating thing is being a mum because you can’t fathom bringing a child into the world and then leaving her to fend for herself,’’ Ms Newman said.
She blinks back tears and looks away.
‘‘Not being there for her first heartbreak and not being there for her wedding and all that kind of stuff, that thought is the worst,’’ she said. ‘‘When you’re a mum you’re not only fighting to stay alive for yourself; you’re fighting for a little girl as well.’’
Despite her bleak diagnosis, Ms Newman said she was overwhelmed that her boss, St George police Superintendent Dave Donohue, was putting his togs on to raise money for her daughter’s education.
‘‘Emily has always told me she is going to become a doctor and cure cancer, so having an education fund is just huge for us,’’ Ms Newman said.
Mr Donohue will swim seven kilometres from La Perouse to Peter Depena Reserve at Dolls Point on December 7 to ensure Emily can go on to do whatever she wants, even if her mum is not around.
He is training 30 kilometres a week and hopes his stroke work will generate enough money for Emily’s education.
‘‘I just felt so bad for Natalie because she was just building her life up, and to be kicked again is devastating,’’ Mr Donohue said.
‘‘I’ve got an 11-year-old daughter and the thought of me not being around for her is hard to imagine.’’
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has thrown his weight behind the swim.
Ms Newman said her cancer had spread to her lungs, diaphragm and lymph nodes but believes there are others worse off.
She said she tried to live by the proverb ‘‘I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet’’.
Ms Newman is engaged to Kogarah policeman Constable Matthew Turner.
She does not know how much time she has, but said she would spend every minute fighting the disease and being with Emily.
There is an open invitation for people to attend a fund-raising barbecue at Peter Depena Reserve on December 7 from 11am to cheer Mr Donohue when he arrives at the beach.
‘‘Swim For Emily’’ donations can be made at http://everydayhero.com.au/davedonohueswim
