A GORLESTON woman who survived ovarian cancer is now helping other sufferers by not only running a support group for those with the disease but also by helping to organise the Great Yarmouth Relay for Life event this month.

Julie Hanks, 54, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006 just six months after the death of her sister Joanne from the same disease.

Like her sister, Julie’s diagnosis was quite late however with a positive mental attitude, following a healthy lifestyle and with medical care at the James Paget Hospital’s Sandra Chapman Suite the outcome was very different from her sister’s.

In addition to six cycles of chemotherapy at the Paget and a hysterectomy at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Julie was determined not to succumb to the disease and embarked on a healthy lifestyle regime which included everything from oxygen therapy to an anti-cancer diet.

This year’s Relay for Life will take place overnight from 2pm on Saturday, July 23 until 10am Sunday, July 24, at Caister High School and the public are welcome to attend and support the teams and enjoy the entertainment and fundraising stalls.

Read more about Julie’s fight back in this week’s Great Yarmouth Mercury

CANCER SURVIVOR: from left: Stuart Hanks (Julie’s husband) Katy Hanks (new daughter in law) Matthew Hanks (son) and Julie Hanks.