When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2018, Ms Sanderson just wanted to get on with the job at hand.

Although she worked as a nurse in the Wimmera Cancer Centre, she still felt the same emotions.

"I knew what I was in for, but still you had to take a deep breath and just say this has happened, let's get on with it," she said.

"Life throws you curveballs, so you've got to ride with them."

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August will mark two years, and although she's clear for the moment, Ms Sanderson has learnt to cope with the weight of the disease.

Making small, manageable goals and not looking too far ahead can help, according to Ms Sanderson.

"To get to the next point that you want to be at. I made small goals, I just wanted to get from this day to the next, to this week to the next," she said.

"I don't look to the future anymore, the only future I look for is I want to hold my great-grandchildren. I've held my grandchildren, I want to see where they end up in life and at least hold one great-grandchild."

Ms Sanderson's doctor was an essential element in keeping her spirits up during her treatment.

"His catch cry every time he saw me was 'early, treatable, curable' so that's what you hang onto it," she said.

Having a loving support network around her has been one of the most important factors since her diagnosis.

"I'm the oldest of four girls, so my siblings and my nieces and nephews were all extremely supportive, but my two children my son and my daughter, my grandchildren and my husband were my best support," she said.

"They're the reason you fight. If you've got people in your corner fighting, then that's what you fight for."

The difficulty in seeing family members spread across the state was difficult during the coronavirus shutdowns last year, but perspective is essential, said Ms Sanderson.

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"It's not the only one, there were thousands of people in the same position," she said.

"People with family overseas, they had it worse."

Nevertheless, there were some surprises when the lockdowns ended

"My grandchildren, who are now 19, 17 and 14; they're all over six foot! That was a bit of a shock when I saw them."

Ms Sanderson said her colleagues at the Wimmera Cancer Centre were also incredibly supportive, and having work security can be a massive boost for patients.

"You need to be able to get back to as close to normal as you can, because what was normal before your diagnosis is not when you come back," she said.

"At the moment I'm still working. I will work until I feel I can't anymore."

Endeavours like Relay for Life play a considerable role in raising money and awareness for cancer diagnoses.

Ms Sanderson has taken part in Relay for Life for a long time, but now it's not just about raising money or awareness.

"I'm still supporting those who are going through it, but I'm also doing it for myself," she said.

Ms Sanderson took part in the Relay for Life opening ceremony on Sunday, lighting one of three candles representing the past, present and future.

This year's virtual relay, titled Relay Your Way, will take place this Sunday, April 18.

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The main event will be High Tea to celebrate carers and survivors in Coughlin Park from 2pm to 5pm, but teams will be running their own events across the region, such as walking around lakes in Nhill and Murtoa.

Information on events and how to participate can be found on the Horsham & District Relay for Life Facebook page, which will also host livestreams on the day.

Horsham Relay for Life chair manager Kingsley Dalgleish said the candlelight ceremony was an important part of the event, letting people reflect on the fight against cancer.

Like Ms Sanderson, Mr Dalgleish has been involved in the Relay for a long time, first as a team captain before joining the committee.

According to Mr Dalgleish, Relay for Life is coming up on having raised $2 million in the two decades since the event arrived in the Wimmera in 2001.

He said even after the cancellation of the 2019 event, the Relay's enduring nature is because cancer touches so many people in so many ways.

"Very rarely has someone in the community not been touched by cancer in some way," he said.

"There's always some connection somehow to cancer, so it's something everyone can identify with and I think that's why people come out and support these events."

Despite the Relay being virtual this year, Mr Dalgleish said people were still getting into the event's spirit.

"It might be walking laps of the office, families walking laps of the backyard, or their block; neighbours getting together and walking," he said.

"It's just opened it up for people to do their own thing."

For Ms Sanderson, it's an opportunity to reflect on her fight.

"You can't just dwell on it. If you dwell on it, you'd be inside all the time and you wouldn't venture out," she said.

"I prefer to live."

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