Shonel Bryant, 38, is a wife to husband Luke and mother to two primary school aged children, Smith and Vogue.

Two years ago the Daylesford resident, who is described by loved ones as a "beautiful person", was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

It is an aggressive type of cancer typically diagnosed in younger women that accounts for about 15 per cent of breast cancer diagnoses.

Ms Bryant's diagnosis came 12 years after her mother had died of stomach cancer but while "shaking her to her core" the talented designer and stylist fought with everything she had to beat it.

After initially looking for a success story online, she could not find one so decided to create a documentary series about her journey through cancer called Life on Standby.

So motivated by the loss of her mother and wanting to use her situation as a way to help others, Ms Bryant began raising awareness of the importance of regularly checking breasts and pecs for any lumps or bumps.

She developed a business, Support Your Girls, through which 50 per cent of merchandise sales were used to establish a youth education program centred around cancer prevention and the importance of self-checks.

After extensive treatment, which involved chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries including having all of her lymph nodes removed, she was given the all clear.

But last year doctors discovered a cancerous lymph node under her collarbone. Ms Bryant beat the cancer a second time.

Less than six months ago she received positive news after a positron emission tomography (PET) scan came back clear.

While in recent weeks Ms Bryant had been suffering from a lingering cough, she had been told it was a viral infection.

Though last week Ms Bryant was informed the cancer had metastasised, leading to a diagnosis of stage four terminal lung cancer.

Late last week doctors informed her she may only have weeks left to live.

In a letter to her children's school, Ms Bryant wrote her family were told "the worst news".

"My death is likely to happen extremely fast and treatment options are super limited and unlikely to help. They have said it's a matter of weeks now before my lungs completely fill with fluid."

She wrote it had been "extremely challenging in every imaginable way" but she and her husband were working to create plans to ensure she remained part of her children's lives in the years to come.

"This is the highest priority to me and bringing me amazing peace in this time. The gratitude for that makes this less difficult so I'm leaning into it as much as I can."

The parents have sat down to have the "crippling" discussion about the situation with the children, she added.

"We had the painful discussion with the children last night. At this stage we decided to keep it more simple focusing on the facts except the looming death.

"They know the cancer is back and it's in my lungs which is worse, they know I'm going to struggle to breathe and will have machines helping me and people around checking up on me to help me as much as they can.

"They know that I'm scared and sad at times and others around us are feeling the same way so there will be lots of crying and hugs, lifts to school, different food etc. Things will be different in many ways," the letter continued.

"We will update what we tell them and the severity of our chats may evolve over the weeks as things progress."

The letter continued with a heartfelt plea.

"With tears in my eyes as I write this I ask you to hold my children like they are your own, help provide the stability in any way you can in their lives while their home life turns completely upside down.

"Please observe them closely and gently check in. Hug them. Support their friends to support them too. They will need every ounce of love they can get, cuddles, feminine energy and a feeling of safety."

Ms Bryant's tragic story has prompted her loved ones and the wider community to donate money for the young family so they can come to terms with their future and enjoy the time they have left together.

In just three days more than $164,000 has been raised.

One of the children's teachers, Angelique Downing, described Ms Bryant as "truly phenomenal".

"She's amazing and beautiful. She is so strong and brave and personifies courage," she told The Courier.

The money will allow the family to spend valuable time together, without needing to worry about finances.

Taking to social media, Ms Bryant described the situation as a "whirlwind".

"Feelings, anxieties, fear and all emotions rolling in like waves. We're letting them hit us, at times they smash us into the rocks and others they are both gentle and calming. It's all a part of the process and all needs to be felt. This I know for sure."

While describing the pain as "immense" and "soul crushing" for her family, she expressed gratitude for the support of the community.

"There truly is so much beauty once you dial down the fear. Communities rallying in a way I've never experienced in my life.

"I'm able to let it all reach me for once. I've never felt so loved and supported. Knowing this was always there, but I never accessed it, is a big learning. One I hope you take with you through your precious life."

She said the funds would allow her husband to stay home with her during her last few weeks and would also allow him to spend more time with the children in future, easing the financial pressure in the "next uncertain stage of their lives".

The community has also been donating meals for the family, while a Ballarat business has donated a freezer for them all to be stored in.

To donate to the family, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bryant-family-support-fundraiser

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