She is again walking throughout the night to raise funds for cancer research on Saturday, this time with the devastating knowledge that her breast cancer has returned.

“My five year check which was Monday came back not clear so now I am on the waiting game again,” Ms Buhler said. 

She is walking as part of the Sebastopol Primary School Relay for Life team alongside her children and grandchildren. 

“It’s about a team effort. Journey through cancer has to be a team effort too. If it is not, you won’t get through it,” she said. 

“There’s a feeling of community and support (during the relay). It is an overwhelming feeling, especially the 8.30pm candlelit ceremony to remember those who have passed away from cancer. It is always a challenging and moving part.”

At least one person from each participating team will walk from 4pm on Saturday until 10am Sunday as part of the relay. Walkers will camp at the site and rotate throughout the night. 

“By 3am you are exhausted. It is definitely a rewarding feeling when you get home and collapse into bed. But it is definitely an exhausting emotional rollercoaster of 18 hours,” Ms Buhler said. 

“I wasn’t actually going to come today because I thought I would be a bit emotional. But I did come with my kids and grandkids and will get through it. We still need a cure at the end of the day. That is what it is about. It is easier for 200 people to fight than one person to fight on their own. 

“Everyone is here for the same reason. If not for our generation for the next.”

Over 500 people are participating in the Ballarat Relay for Life. The group had raised $46,200 for the Cancer Council by the beginning of the event on Saturday. 

Ballarat Relay for Life co-ordinator Nick Wald said everyone who is participating, like almost everyone in society, knew someone who had been affected by cancer. 

“We have plenty of survivors and carers here themselves, as well as their supporters and their family,” he said. “Everyone is unfortunately connected by one thing, but that is what we are trying to eradicate.

“It is an emotional time, but it definitely does bring a smile to a lot of faces to know there are a lot of other people going through what they are going through and everyone is here to help each other.” 

This year’s Relay for Life was number 11 for Shaniiq Rowan.

She first started participated when her nan was diagnosed with cancer. In the years since, her aunty and her foster nan died from cancer. 

She said being a part of the relay was rewarding, and it was symbol of her family’s strength. 

Visit http://fundraising.cancer.org.au/site/TR/RelayforLife/CCVIC?pg=entry&fr_id=5131 to make a donation.