Marie's unbeatable courage

MARIE Sanderson has triumphed over repeated bouts of cancer, but the thought of it returning remains in the back of her mind. The Warrenheip grandmother was 38 years old when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Eighteen months later she was told it had returned. Two years ago Sanderson, 59, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the breast cancer returned yet again last year.Through the years of radiotherapy and chemotherapy Sanderson has remained determined to keep fighting."When I got depressed and sat there crying I thought 'this isn't going to get me anywhere'," she says.On Pink Ribbon Day today the Cancer Council hopes to raise funds and awareness for women such as Sanderson who have suffered through breast cancer. And now Sanderson hopes to inspire others with cancer not to give up and to remain positive in the face of a cancer diagnosis.Through crippling bouts of nausea from her cancer treatment, Sanderson's weight remained stable. During chemotherapy she could barely taste her food but steadfastly committed to a healthy diet, even if it meant throwing up immediately."I couldn't taste the difference between an orange and a banana but I'd still eat it," she says. "I knew it had to go into my system."Sanderson's daughter, Kylie, says the repeated cancer diagnoses have taken an emotional toll but she has been inspired by her mother's fight."It's awesome, it's really inspirational," she says. "She's just had a really positive attitude all the way through."