Samantha is 29 years old and lives in Massey, Auckland. She’s doing the Pink Ribbon Walk in honour of her mum Gillian (age 54), whose breast cancer returned earlier this year after 14 years in remission.

This year my family will be entering the Pink Ribbon Walk to raise funds for Breast Cancer Foundation.

My mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, the cancer had spread and after a long battle through chemo and radiation, she was in remission.

The affect that not just the cancer, but the treatments has on the patient and their family is tremendous, both physically and mentally.

On 29th May 2019, we celebrated mum being cancer free for 14 years.

June 16th 2020, I remember being in the car to get lunch, like any other day. I get a phone call from mum and instantly know that something is wrong.

She tells us that she has just being diagnosed with breast cancer again.

Her treatment is going well and everything is looking positive, but there is still a long road ahead.

The support provided by Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is absolutely spectacular. It makes a very hard situation that little bit easier.