Guest Speaker, Kristy McMahon, spoke about her personal story and of her journey with cancer. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. She told us that if there is a history of cancer in your family, it’s best to commence being screened for cancer around 10 years earlier than when your relatives were first diagnosed. After diagnosis, Kristy had hoped to avoid the need for a mastectomy and so went straight to chemotherapy.Unfortunately, this didn’t work, and in the end, she also needed a mastectomy and a lymphadenectomy, which is when the lymph nodes are removed. One thing that Kristy mentioned several times is the need to maintain your sense of humour when going through these treatments. She was very complimentary of the strength of the community at Howlong and was grateful for the support given to her and her family. As soon as Kristy was well enough (2014), she participated in a Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Walk as a fundraiser for Cancer and raised $10,000. She followed up in 2015 and raised a further $50,000!Unfortunately for Kristy and her family, the cancer journey wasn’t yet done. After her daughter developed a sore leg, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a type of cancer that produces immature bone. It is the most common type of cancer that arises in bones, and it is usually found at the end of long bones, often around the knee. Most people diagnosed with osteosarcoma are under the age of 25. After many operations and chemotherapy, her daughter’s bones are much softer than they would normally be, resulting in many fractures. This hasn’t stopped her from becoming a terrific swimmer and being chosen to compete at Riverina Rep swimming carnivals! What an inspiration Kristy and her daughter are for all of us. The good news for Kristy is that after 5 years, she has been given the all clear.