“I have bad news. Your cancer has spread, we need to admit you to the hospital straight away.” Those are words you don’t want to hear after being cancer free for 10 years - or at any time. Lana, 56 explained that her relationship fell apart due to the emotional, mental, and physical toll of fighting her breast cancer the first-time round, and that she would have been alone to process this news had it not been for ‘Lansie’s Angels’.

Friends Libby and Annette rallied by her side at the hospital, as did her friend Karen when she returned home from overseas. Lana was discharged from hospital two weeks later to await surgery for a hip fracture caused by the cancer, but being unable to weight bear on the hip meant reliance on these three friends for meals, medical appointments, and company.

She said “After five weeks I was readmitted to hospital for radiation. During this time, it was my birthday, and my Angels organised a surprise birthday party in the hospital cafeteria. I was so happy and surprised, that my life started to turn the corner. I realised that so many people love and care for me and I felt like I wanted to live again and fight this sickness.” Her friends have stuck by her side “wrapping their arms around her” during the emotional and physical rollercoaster of cancer. Her dream, which Dream Makers were honoured to help come true, was to repay their friendship with a trip away to the Great Ocean Road and some spa treatments for Lansie’s Angels.

What a lovely story of friendship.