AN Eleebana woman has used her experience with cancer as motivation to raise awareness of the deadly disease.
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Lynda Dolbel was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in late May.
As she was a fit and healthy 53-year-old, the news came as a shock to Mrs Dolbel and her husband, Mark.
However, their attention soon turned to something else.
"After the initial shock of the diagnosis we sat back and thought: 'What can we do to help other people going through this?'," Mrs Dolbel said.
"We'd always donated to things like [the Cancer Council's] Daffodil Day but it was the experience of being thrown into the chemo clinic with so many people who were worse off than I was that made me want to help."
After two rounds of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour, Mrs Dolbel's cancer shows no signs of spreading.
While the treatment works its magic, the Dolbels hatched a plan to raise funds for cancer research and spread awareness of the disease.
The pair own a bright yellow Kombi, which they bought six years ago to travel. They plan to use it to help them raise funds for the Cancer Council at the 2014 Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Relay For Life, alongside the Currey family's iconic Kombi of Hope.
Last year the purple Volkswagen raised $250,000, a figure the Dolbels hope they can help top this year.
As well as having their Kombi on display, Mr and Mrs Dolbel will enter the event's Survivors and Carers lap, which honours cancer survivors, including those who are undergoing treatment, and their carers.
This year the event will be followed by an afternoon tea.
To RSVP, email Cheryl at cheryl.cooper7@bigpond.com.au or phone 0402 301 903.
■The 2014 Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Relay For Life will be held at Glendale's Hunter Sports Centre on Saturday, November 1. Go to relayforlife.org.au.