The 32-year-old Shell Cove resident had struggled with exhaustion and headaches for around six months, yet it wasn't until she had an MRI scan in May that she received the first shock diagnosis.

The mother-of-two was told she had a brain condition called Chiari Malformation. Simply put, her brain is too large for her skull and protrudes into her spinal canal causing fluid to be disturbed - and hence the headaches.

However neurosurgery to relieve the pressure on her brain and spine has had to be put on hold, due to further scans uncovering a large mass in her chest.

Just weeks after her first diagnosis, Mrs Waters was told she has a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, called mediastinal large B cell lymphoma which had also spread to her adrenal glands.

She's suffered through six rounds of chemotherapy, while a follow-up scan next month will determine if the tumour has shrunk - and whether radiation is required.

Despite all of that Mrs Waters remains upbeat.

"It's been horrific but I try my best to have a smile on my face, and look at something good in every day," she said.

"It has been challenging to watch my family try and be strong for me, but if it wasn't for the support of my husband Cameron, my family and friends, I wouldn't be where I am."

Mr Waters said he'd been inspired by his wife's bravery. "There's not many people who are eligible for the chemo protocol that she's had to go through, as it's so strong.

"There'd be days when everything hurt so much - even her skin hurt and she couldn't bear wearing clothes. The weight of her hair hurt, so we shaved it off before it even started falling out.

"Sometimes she couldn't walk, so I'd have to carry her to the toilet. It was tough - but so was she, and she always had that smile on her face."

The kindness of friends and strangers has touched them both, and on Saturday the fourth annual Shell Cove Wine Tour was held - with all proceeds to help them get back on their feet.

"I'm a special education teacher and I adore my job, but because my system is so compromised I had to stop working," Mrs Waters said. "So financially it's been tough, and I'm ever so grateful for this support.

"The day itself was very emotional, but so much fun."

Event organisers Cassy Peters and Carlie Page-Quinn said around $30,000 had been raised on Saturday, by nearly 200 participants who had embraced this year's 'seniors' theme.

"Ali has supported our ladies day over the past few years and has seen first-hand how we as a community can make such a big difference in the lives of families in need," Ms Peters said.

"We pick a different family each year, and we knew Ali and her family could benefit from our help right now."