
When Albury Wodonga Breast Cancer Support Group began a "doubting Thomas" told the founders support groups never lasted more than five years.
More than 25 years later, the group is one of the longest running cancer support groups in the region.
Committee member Robyn Daly said the group were invaluable in her own cancer struggles.
"Sometimes you can't talk to your family, they don't understand," she said.
"They know you're in pain and they know you're hurting, but these ladies have been through it.
"To know that these people know exactly what you're going through is massive."
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Mrs Daly said that the companionship they provide has helped many women through a dark part of their lives.
"Being part of a group helps people with anxiety and stress and funnily enough at our meetings we hardly ever talk about cancer, we talk about everything else.," she said.
"It's been wonderful being in a group like this, we all get together and we have a great couple of hours."
Last year was the organisation's 25th anniversary, but due to COVID-19 they couldn't meet to celebrate the milestone until recently.
Over those 25 years they have grown, to the point where they do a lot more than meet for a chat.
The group provides pamper packages for women have recently been diagnosed and help with the purchases of prosthesis for women who require mastectomies which are funded through grants.
"In 2012 we decided we needed to do something for women with breast cancer to let them know that there is help out there, so I came up with the idea of a care pamper bag," Mrs Daly said.
"After radiation treatment your skin can get quite burnt, so they needed cream to put on that.
"We give them half-moon pillows to rest under their arms after surgery, particularly while travelling as the seat belts can be quite uncomfortable."