Last updated 05:00 21/02/2014
CONQUERING CAFE: Linda Currin is running in her seventh Relay for Life despite battles with cancer.
Cancer fighter Linda Currin will be back for another Relay for Life.
The courageous Whangaparaoa woman says she's in good health for the overnight run/walk event at the Millenium Stadium in Mairangi Bay on March 29-30.
Held throughout New Zealand, Relay for Life remembers those claimed by cancer and encourages people to fight back by raising awareness and funds for the Cancer Society.
Linda has attended the relay since 2006 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer a year earlier, spending months before in tests to find out what was wrong.
A CT scan came back clear, but her doctor investigated further by putting a camera down her throat.
The camera was unable to reach her stomach because the way was blocked by a large tumour.
All of Linda's stomach and part of her duodenum were removed, followed by nine months of chemotherapy.
The chemo was stopped early because she started experiencing blackouts, one of which saw her drive through the doors of a Whangaparaoa service station.
Linda completed her first relay event walking 1.5 laps during the Survivor function.
After that she was so exhausted she was sick for a week, but has been involved in the relay every year since, except for one when she was not strong enough.
In 2008 Linda had another scan to assess her stomach cancer, which came back clear. However, at the same time spots were found on her lungs.
At that stage they were so small her oncologist recommended waiting for three months to assess them.
"This gave me quite a fright as I was feeling on top of the world and was fit as a fiddle from seeing a fitness instructor," Linda says.
"I found out on my sons' birthdays. They were born on the same day but two years apart, so when I rang them to wish them a happy birthday I couldn't tell them about my lung cancer diagnosis because I didn't want to ruin their day."
Three months later the cancer was found to be growing quickly and appeared aggressive, so surgery was scheduled and the top left hand section of Linda's lung was removed.
She's since bounced back.
"I don't have the same energy levels I used to, and I don't have much of an appetite anymore," Linda says.
"But I believe a ‘we'll be right' attitude has been instrumental in me getting through all of this."
Cancer Society Auckland chief executive John Loof says 60 families daily face the challenge of a cancer diagnosis,
"Relay For Life is a time when we come together as a community, acknowledge the impact cancer has and fundraise to make the work of the Cancer Society possible," he says.
"Sixty new cancer diagnoses every day is far too many. We feel that more can be done to reduce this number and support those families."
The society is committed to life changing scientific research, and daily support and needs the community's help, Mr Loof says.
"Funds raised provide supportive care and information for people going through cancer and vital research into more effective cancer treatments as well prevention campaigns in our community.
"Teams sign up for many reasons. Some to remember their loved ones, others to celebrate and acknowledge a friends cancer journey and some to fight back against cancer, a disease that takes so much."
Registration is open for the nationwide relay on March 29 and 30.
Go to relay.org.nz or call Lorien on 09 308 0494 for information and to register a team.
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