Creating a legacy: How Chris is honouring his late wife Mel with the Shine Ball
July 24, 2024
The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation is proud to support Shine Ball, a night of gourmet food, fine wine and opulent entertainment, all to raise vital funds for ovarian cancer research
- Chris Ho lost his wife Mel to ovarian cancer in August 2023, determined to honour her legacy, Chris is organising Shine Ball.
- The ball, held on the 23rd August, raised $219,607 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to support ovarian cancer research projects across Australia
In the midst of profound loss, we often seek ways to honour the memory of our loved ones, to ensure their legacy endures and to channel our grief into positive action. This is the story of how one husband, heartbroken by the premature loss of his beloved wife Melanie to ovarian cancer, has found a way to celebrate her life and support vital research through the Shine Ball.
Chris met Mel after graduating from university. According to Chris, “she was swept away by my rendition of a Guns N’ Roses song”. Despite Chris’ shyness, it was a quick match. “I was quite shy at the time while she was always the life of the party. She could light up any room,” Chris says.
Their story spans decades – making memories with global travel expeditions and their beloved pet shih tzus.
Tragically, their story was cut short in August last year, when Mel passed away from ovarian cancer.
Now, Chris is honouring her memory through the Shine Ball, an evening of elegance and first-class dining with entertainment, to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and to honour Mel’s legacy.
MEL’S OVARIAN CANCER STORY
As with many ovarian cancer patients, Mel’s symptoms were vague including bloating, feeling full quickly after eating, and assumingly tied to other more benign conditions – in Mel’s case – this was her history of endometriosis.
After experiencing some intense pain, Mel was initially diagnosed with an ovarian cyst that required emergency surgery, she then undertook a hysterectomy to remove her ovaries and prevent any further recurrences.
It was during this surgery that surgeons thought Mel might have ovarian cancer – further pathology confirmed their suspicions. The surgeon was confident they removed all traces of the cancer, but still recommended a series of radiotherapy to ensure any traces were removed.
The process of diagnosis was difficult for both, as there is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer, the only way to make a definitive diagnosis is through a biopsy procedure to obtain a tissue sample. With Chris’ background in health, they were confident in trusting the doctors around them. The lack of information around ovarian cancer was, however, a challenge.
“When [we were] told of ovarian cancer, I didn’t realise how deadly a disease it was, and the morbidity of this cancer with the often-poor outcomes for treatment, due to the late stage of diagnosis. I had hope, as I believed in her and how strong she was, to fight this insidious disease,” Chris says.
I wish more women knew about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
Chris Ho
Around 70% of women are diagnosed in the advanced stages, and only around 29% of these women are expected to survive beyond five years.
They both hoped that immunotherapy might help Mel – her type of genetic mutation was eligible for a clinical trial, but Mel received only one infusion before they discovered the cancer had spread to her gastrointestinal tract. Throughout Mel’s treatment, Chris felt “utterly helpless.”
“There is nothing you can do apart from prayers and trusting those that were treating her. You quickly become an expert looking up on Google, and there were many doctors I spoke to in an effort to understand the disease, I was also finding and talking to experts too.”
Tragically, within three months of learning the cancer had spread, Mel passed away days after her 51st birthday.
Honouring Mel's Legacy with shine ball
For years Chris and Mel had discussed setting up a charity, but little did Chris realise he would now be organising a fundraiser for the very cancer that took his wife’s life. “Mel always supported me. If I can help other women and their families so they don’t have to go through what she and countless other women have experienced, then that’s how I can honour her memory.”
Shine Ball is now that legacy, with its name no coincidence, “I named it ‘shine’ as I want all women who have been affected by this cancer to be able to shine again,” Chris says.
The black-tie gala promises an evening of elegance and first-class dining with spectacular entertainment, and unique experiences for guests to enjoy with friends and colleagues.
Jane Flemming, Former Olympic Athlete, OAM OLY, will be Master of Ceremonies, with performances from acclaimed singer Paulini, comedian Vince Sorrenti, electric violinist Cardinia, and Slide McBride.
Chris selected the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) as the beneficiary of the gala, to raise much needed funds for critical medical ovarian cancer research.
There is little government funding for ovarian cancer research, I hope Shine Ball can increase awareness but also raise much needed funds for research
Chris Ho
“The OCRF have done a wonderful job over the years to raise awareness and funds through their different campaigns, and I hope to contribute to that,” Chris says.
With the inaugural Shine Ball set for success, Chris is looking forward to the gala becoming an annual event, to continue raising awareness for ovarian cancer and increasing the pool of funds available for ovarian cancer research across early detection, treatment, prevention, and recurrence management.
His hopes for future ovarian cancer outcomes and research are simple: “I hope that one day we find a cure, but hopefully short term, we can find a pathway to early diagnosis as the earlier the disease is diagnosed the better the survival rates,” he says.
“I hope that with my speaking out, women who are experiencing minor symptoms get themselves checked that little bit earlier, hopefully leading them to an earlier diagnosis and successful treatment.”
attend shine ball in support of the OCRF
Shine Ball will be back in 2025, stay tuned to OCRF channels for updates.
Get the latest news, stories & updates.
