Competing in this year's Cancer Council Relay for Life was a bitter-sweet moment for Anastasia Attia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Kingsgrove teen took to the Kerryn McCann athletics track with a heavy heart on Saturday, just eight days after her sister Christine lost a four-year battle with cancer.
Christine, a young fashion design student, was 17 when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that causes tumours in muscle tissue.
After Christine's death, her best friend Irene Bassil decided to form a Relay for Life team in a bid to raise money for other cancer sufferers.
"Christine's best friend made us aware of the event. She suggested we do it and raise money for cancer and support all of those people who are still going through it," Anastasia, 19, said.
"I don't want others suffering the way my sister suffered. I just want to help people going through the same thing and give them some support - that's the best thing."
The group managed to raise more than $1000.
Anastasia, who also campaigned with Christine before her death to raise money for youth cancer organisation YouCan, plans to sign up for the relay again next year.
About 2000 people took part in the relay and the event is expected to raise almost $350,000.