Angledale’s Kylie O’Neill, like many other Australians, knows only too well the unforgiving and indiscriminate nature of cancer.

“With my sister-in-law, if she had cancer now she would have survived due to the advancements in research, so raising money is very important,” Ms O’Neill said during Brogo’s Biggest Morning Tea Cancer Council fundraiser on Friday.

“She left children behind, and my brother has never really recovered because he became the main caregiver.

“It has fractured their lives.”

The Angledale resident said the disease is “not the death sentence it once was”, and regular Pap smears have helped saved her life.

“If we didn’t have Pap smears I would be dead, so I’m very thankful,” she said.

“We know people who have survived, because researchers are making breakthroughs every day.

“So, the more money we can put into research and innovation, the more we can understand about it.”

According to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, 123,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Australia every year, and as our population ages, the disease is becoming more prevalent. Over the last three decades, the survival rate for many types of cancer has increased by more than 20 per cent due to treatment improvements and new interventions.

Ms O’Neill is inspired by the breakthroughs brought around by research, and recommended all Australians receive annual checks, and visit their doctor regularly.

She said she is optimistic future generations will not suffer what those close to her have in recent years.

“Seeing your doctor regularly at the very least means you can develop a nice relationship together,” Ms O’Neill said.

The Brogo event raised over $2000 for the Cancer Council, with organiser Lenna Pearce estimating more than 100 people passed through the doors in a locality of just over 500 people.

“There’s a lot of new faces here I’ve never seen before,” Ms Pearce said.