Jo Spicer is a survivor of two cancer diagnoses - and now wants to put her best foot forward for the cause.
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Bulli resident and author Ms Spicer will be walking as this year's ambassador for the Wollongong Relay For Life on Saturday, October 12.
Relay for Life raises funds for Cancer Council NSW.
Ms Spicer said it was an honour to be an ambassador.
"We are taking part to ensure that cancer support services continue in our local Illawarra community," the 52-year-old said.
"The wonderful people who run these services make such a difference to people like me at the time when we need it the most."
Ms Spicer aims to use her lived experience to empower others to overcome adversity.
"After surviving a CIN3 diagnosis and subsequent hysterectomy at 39, I couldn't believe it when at 45 a lump in my breast was diagnosed as Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma," she said.
"I had so many questions running through my mind... Was I going to die? Were my fears normal? How could this happen to me?"
After five failed attempts at a fine needle biopsy, she was forced to have surgery to confirm the diagnosis.
"My treatment involved two years of chemotherapy and at that stage, my tumours had gone, but within six months the lumps returned, and I endured another two years of chemotherapy.
"My experience made me realise that sharing stories from cancer survivors could help so many to have a better cancer journey and outcome."
This became her inspiration for writing the book, Survive and Thrive: How Cancer Saves Lives.
Cancer Council NSW's community relations co-ordinator Sari Boschiero said this year's event would feature a new 12-hour format, from 9am-9pm.
"Teams of friends, families and colleagues raise money in the lead-up to Relay for Life, where team members take turns walking around a track to signify that 'cancer never rests, so neither do we'," Ms Boschiero said.
During the past 18 years, the community has raised more than $3.8 million at Wollongong Relay.
This year, organisers are hoping to raise another $150,000 for local Cancer Council initiatives such as affordable accommodation, transport to treatment, cancer prevention programs, advocacy and offer access to free financial, legal and emotional support.
To register or donate, click here.