Looking on the bright side of life

Ann Wallace-Burleigh with her dog. (Supplied)

Tara Murray

Hillside’s Ann Wallace-Burleigh never saw her breast cancer diagnosis as a death sentence.

Diagnosed in 2008, Ms Wallace-Burleigh tried to take a positive approach to her treatment.

“I got it, I dealt with it and I got over it,” she said.

“I was one of the lucky ones to get through it with not too many hiccups along the way. I never thought I was going to die. I dealt with it through humor.

“I want people to know they can get through it, there’s a lot of different treatments out there.”

An average of 951 people diagnosed with cancer in Brimbank each year, according to Cancer Council data.

In 2020, 249 people living in Brimbank were supported by the Cancer Council.

Ms Wallace-Burleigh, who lived in Sunshine through her cancer battle, held Girls Night in for 10 years to help raise money for the Cancer Council.

Having used the council hotline during her battle, the fundraiser was her way to help others who might be going through what she went through.

Ahead of Daffodil Day on August 27, the Cancer Council is encouraging Victorians to use their ‘Flower Power’ to make a positive impact on the lives of people affected by cancer by donating to fund vital cancer research.

Due to COVID-19, the Cancer Council lost close to $15 million in fundraising revenue in Victoria last year.

To donate: daffodilday.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85.