Hand over for help

By Tania Martin
A POSITIVE attitude and community support has helped pulled two Emerald residents through their battle with cancer.
Lynne Schmidt and Stephen Hall are both rejoicing about being in remission.
They say the power of prayer and strong family and community support has pulled them through their battle with cancer.
Both are now training for their first Relay for Life 24-hour event next month.
Cancer survivors will be recognised for their strength and courage during the opening lap of the Cardinia Casey Relay for Life on Friday, 2 March.
Both say the Relay for Life is a great way to raise money for much needed cancer research.
Mr Hall said it was great to see that so many people in the hills have supported Emerald’s Relay for Life team The Curators.
The team now has 45 members and is on target to raise its goal of $13,000 for Relay for Life.
Team leader Melanie Hall said it was amazing to see so many people and businesses in the area supporting the team’s efforts to raise money for cancer research.
Ms Schmidt who was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2005 says she was never scared to die.
“I have a strong Christian faith and I am a great believer in the afterlife.
“I was never afraid to die – I was sick, tired and exhausted but I was never afraid to die.”
After being diagnosed, Ms Schmidt underwent surgery to remove the lump in her breast and also had six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments.
But, despite all the treatment, she said it was the power of prayer that pulled her through the cancer.
Ms Schmidt said it was amazing to have so many people saying prayers for her to get better.
Mr Hall has also been given the all clear after a seven-month battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The cancer, which is similar to leukaemia, infects the blood cells and in Mr Hall’s case went into his bone marrow.
Mr Hall went straight into chemotherapy in an attempt to stop the cancer spreading and was successful.
“My head was spinning when I was diagnosed,” he said.
“All I could think was that I was too young to die and went straight in for the treatment because I was going to beat this.”
Both Mr Hall and Ms Schmidt said the cancer was like a wake up call telling them to slow down and enjoy life.
“We are always rushing around and having cancer makes you realise you need to slow down and enjoy life,” they said.
They will now face their next challenge in participating in the Casey Cardinia Relay for Life at Akoonah Park, Princes Highway, Berwick, at 6pm on Friday, 2 March.