Imogen Wallace was just 13 when she was diagnosed with cancer. Ten years on she spoke with GEORGIA SMITH.
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October 27 holds great significance for Imogen Wallace.
On that day in 2009, the energetic and happy 13-year-old from Gundowring was told she had something that rarely crosses the mind of a child - cancer.
Imogen was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right leg, a cancerous tumor found in the bone.
Now 23, and cancer free, October 27 will bear another meaning for her this year.
It will be 10 years since her diagnosis that she will cycle 100km to raise money for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne as part of Unite to Fight Cancer.
"It's kind of a nice circle of life to come back around," Imogen said.
"Part of the motivation for me to do the bike ride is that it happens to fall on the 27th of October, the exact date I was diagnosed, which is just bizarre.
"Despite having had all of my treatment at the Royal Children's Hospital, when I was discharged from there as an adult I've since had my long term follow-ups at Peter Mac's.
"Even more than that, my uncle, best friend's mum and grandmother, and other people I know, have all had their treatment and been cared for there.
"It's a cause very close to my heart and my family's."
Imogen's original fundraising goal was set at $1000 in May, but that was quickly shattered as family, friends and acquaintances who have followed her journey were quick to lend a helping hand, with the total currently standing at just over $2900.
The outpouring of generosity filled Imogen with memories of feeling overwhelmed by the support both her and her family received.
"Seeing the support from everyone who has donated has brought me back to when I was diagnosed and how much support we got from the local community at the time," Imogen said.
"It's been unreal the amount of support from family and friends, but also from work colleagues and people I don't know.
"I just put it on Facebook the day I signed up and I think within three or four days I'd reached $1000.
"It's nice to know that people are backing you.
"I've been super lucky growing up in a small town where the local community, and people that I didn't even know, were willing to give whatever they could to help my family out.
"My experiences definitely brought not only my immediate family closer together, but also all of my extended family closer as well.
"I might not see them as often, but it's so nice to know that everyone is still around you."
As Imogen will tell you, a lot can happen in 10 years.
After graduating from Tallangatta High School in 2014, she took a gap year before moving to Melbourne to study science.
Last year she finished University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in physiology.
Imogen has since begun working as an orthopedic technologist, applying plaster casts and splints to kids not that different in age to when she was regularly visiting hospitals.
Her job has fulfilled her desire to help people, which was installed in her from a young age.
"It's a weird thing to say, but I really love the environment of hospitals," Imogen said.
"It's something that I'm quite comfortable with.
"I see patients with legs in plaster and it reminds me of being in hospital and the experiences I had and how accommodating the people who work in hospitals can be."
Imogen's life now is parallel to that of the young scared girl whose world was turned upside down after hearing that one six letter word.
Despite all of the hardships, Imogen said she has come out of her experiences stronger.
"It's hard to say in what way it's affected me," Imogen said.
"In good and bad ways it's shaped who I am and I definitely wouldn't change that.
"Although it wasn't a good thing to go through, there were so many good things to come with it.
"It would sound bizarre to someone who hasn't been through it, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
"But that's easy to say from my position, I know mum (Shanelle) and dad (Malcolm) probably wouldn't say the same thing.
"The people that I've met, I wouldn't have met otherwise, so I think I've been lucky in that way."
One aspect of life that Imogen's diagnosis did heavily affect was her desire to participate in sport.
As a fit and active young teenager, the concept of being forced off the netball court and away from competitive sports was a hard pill to swallow.
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The idea of jumping on a bike and pedaling with others was another influencing factor in her decision to participate in the event this year.
"I've always loved sport and haven't really found that competitive edge since not being able to compete in sports that I like as much anymore," Imogen said.
"To have something to strive for and work towards is something that really motivates me."
The ride is not only a way for Imogen to give back, but also to provide awareness around osteosarcoma and cancer as a whole.
"I've met people here and there that have had osteosarcoma, but it's quite rare," she said.
"I think it's important to raise awareness for all cancers, but it's nice when you can say to someone, 'I had osteosarcoma', and they know what it is.
"I'm not just necessarily raising funds for one certain type of cancer because I think that everyone goes through similar things."
If you had have told Imogen 10 years ago what her life would look like now and all of the things she's accomplished, she probably would have thought you were crazy.
"Ten years ago I just remember being absolutely petrified going in to see Dr Giltrap," she said.
"I don't remember anything Mike said except for cancer and that I had to go to the Royal Children's Hospital.
"That time 10 years ago I didn't know if I'd be alive, let alone getting on a bike and having done what I have.
"I'm definitely one of the lucky ones, I still have two legs.
"Not everyone's that lucky to be here.
"I think it's been a good reminder for me to take a step back and remember what I've been through, and that I'm doing all right.
"Sometimes you need to take a step back from things and think how lucky you are to be here.
"I get to do some pretty incredible things."
You can donate to Imogen's ride on October 27 by searching Imogen Wallace on the Unite to Fight Cancer website.
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