Defeating cancer and then facing its return has been emotionally and financially challenging for Elenor Tedenborg.
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Ms Tedenborg and her partner of 10 years were put in touch with the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Foundation when she was hospitalised in January.
"The breast cancer nurse suggested they could help with some bills," she said.
"The cancer has been ongoing for a couple years and we've been on one income with two little kids.
"Simon works for himself, so some months are fantastic and others aren't so good.
"You feel embarrassed being in this situation at your age; I never expected to be 47 and have our savings gone."
Through the foundation's financial assistance program, about $600 in bills were paid for the family.
Foundation chairwoman Jenny Jensen said a number of individuals were supported every year through the initiative.
"It's usually organised through the oncology social workers and cancer care co-ordinators," she said.
"They talk to people in need and then put an application in to us.
"They might give us a car registration renewal or a phone or electricity bill that we will the pay."
A further $6500 in assistance will be provided throughout the year thanks to a donation from the Rotary Club of Albury West.
President Doug McRae, who met Ms Tedenborg yesterday with president-elect Graham Stevens, said the club put the proceeds from Mayor's Golf Day to a community cause each year.
"We knew of the good work the cancer foundation was doing and when Jenny came to one of our meetings, we decided to give the money from the 2018 golf day to the financial assistance program," he said.
Ms Jensen took over the role of chair of the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Foundation from the late Eric Turner nearly three years ago and said the financial help was a key part of what the group did.
"Eric was chairman of the foundation for 15 years," she said.
"The main purpose is advocating for better care for people who are diagnosed with cancer on the Border.
"The Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund was birthed out of the foundation; it was the vision of Eric and a couple others that there be a fundraising arm for the cancer centre and it's been very successful."
Ms Tedenborg has received the support of both sections of the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Foundation as she has battled breast cancer.
She is currently having immunotherapy done.
"I had treatment on Thursday and my cancer markers have gone down; one was up in the 6000s and the other one was up in 22,000s and they're back down to normal levels now," Ms Tedenborg said.
Border people have also helped the entrepreneurial mum through her new business Soul'D on Life.
"I left media due to the illness and couldn't and didn't want to go back, but needed to get out of the house, so I started to do healthy granola at the farmer's market and it's starting to go up," Ms Tedenborg said.
"I'm extremely grateful.
"I wasn't sure I was going to be here for six months after Eli was born, but here I am two years later.
"I'm proud of saying that the cancer has probably been the best thing to happen to me in many ways, because of my outlook on life now.
"The little things that used to upset me don't matter anymore."
