FORMER Appin Park Primary student and Tarrawingee netballer Shelly Hanley (nee Wallace) has been diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer and her family are seeking the support of the Wangaratta community so she can access advanced treatment in the United States.
You might remember Shelly from her younger years working in the deli at Coles, at Juddy's Tavern and the Grand Central.
She's now 39 and has lived in Brisbane with her husband Ben and two sons for the past 10 years, while her parents Jacqueline and Russell Wallace still live in Wangaratta.
Shelly was diagnosed with stage four terminal intrahapetic cholangiocarcinoma that has metastised to her liver.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.
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"It often goes undetected until it is in its later stages, making the fight for survival a difficult one," her sister Lizzie Wallace said.
"Shelly has been given a prognosis of 12-14 months, however, she is extremely determined to 'beat the beast' that is cholangiocarcinoma and live far beyond her prognosis.
"Determined to beat this from the start, we have been researching night and day for a cure."
Shelly was diagnosed in January and has since been on a combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment plan.
The family were given recent news that although her main tumour is shrinking other smaller lesions are growing.
They have completed a genomic sequencing of Shelly's cancer to find if she has any targetable mutations.
Unfortunately, there are no targetable treatment options for Shelly that are available to her in Australia, however, there are some trials overseas that could potentially save her life.
They are currently undergoing a review from a panel of experts in America that have offered to treat Shelly.
In the wake of this news, Shelly's family have since set up a GoFundMe page to give her the best possible opportunity at survival by travelling overseas for trials and treatments she is eligible for.
"A lot of these options are not funded, however, we are not letting this deter us," Lizzie said.
"We will do everything we can to get Shelly to the treatments she so desperately needs."
Early on in Shelly's journey, they were fortunate to meet one of the few survivors who created the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia who has helped them immensely throughout this process.
They have provided many valuable resources, contacts and support throughout this process and continue to advocate, raise awareness and fight for every patient that is diagnosed in Australia with Cholangiocarcinoma.
The family is determined to assist the Cholangiocarcinoma foundation to raise awareness and help with early detection screening (visit https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/).
"We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves (especially those with pre-existing liver, bile duct, gallbladder and pancreas conditions) with the signs and symptoms of Cholangiocarcinoma," Lizzie said.
"For anyone who is going through Cholangiocarcinoma or anyone who knows someone with this cancer please know you are not alone and feel free to contact our family for more information and support.
"Shelly has an incredible fight on her hands but from the start her positive fierce spirit has been nothing short of admiring.
"Every week she goes into another treatment with a smile, a joke and a comment to her oncologist that he has the wrong diagnosis.
"The first words out of her mouth were: 'Right, how are we going to beat this thing?'
"From the start she has made it very clear that she will be one of the survivors who will live to tell the tale.
"If you know Shelly this fighting attitude wouldn't be surprising, it is in her DNA to never give up."
Lizzie said every week they go for a traditional breakfast before treatment where they pick a new cafe to try.
They talk about her and the boys' future and discuss Shelly's treatment options, she's always so optimistic.
"Everyday she is talking to patients on the Cholangio support group page providing hope, information and resources to help them through their diagnosis," Lizzie said.
"Her boys need their mother, no one this young should have their lives ripped away from them so quickly.
"Our whole family's lives were turned upside down on January 19, but we won't give up until she is cancer free.
"Shelly's fight is our fight.
"We will never lose hope.
"She is the kindest, loudest, most positive person I know who has a heart of gold."
An auction charity day will be held at the Hibernian Hotel in Beechworth on May 26 at 2pm if people would like to attend.
To donate to Shelly's gofundme campaign so she can seek further treatment visit
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-shelly-fight-her-battle-with-cancer
