Rhonda Martinez with her Harley's

Meet Rhonda Martinez: In December 2000, three days before Christmas, Rhonda Martinez was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Her experience has inspired her to huge achievements in the fight against cancer.

Read Rhonda's story...

“It took a while for the full impact of my diagnosis to set in. As it did, I experienced a whole variety of feelings ranging from sadness and anxiety to anger, frustration and despair."

“As I got further and further into my treatment, I realised each time I left the hospital and walked back out in reality that this could not be all there is."

"Each time I walked back out in the crowded street knowing what I had just been injected with, I felt so alone and alienated."

"If only there was somewhere to go and talk to others who would understand, a ‘place’, a ‘special room’, anything; where patients could retreat before and after chemotherapy.”

After Rhonda had finished her treatment, she came across an article in her local newspaper about Olivia Newton-John setting up a “Wellness Centre”.

“Of course the more I read about the “Wellness Centre” the more I realised this was exactly what was needed.

“This Centre would provide a place to sit, relax, chat or cry. A chance to talk to other patients about your treatment. A place to have coffee, a massage, read a book or get information. Somewhere to just chill out for a while knowing in a few hours after the treatment, you will be too sick to do any of these things. Just a ‘space’ to collect one's thoughts, that’s all."

Rhonda was so excited and decided she must help out in whatever way was possible. She’s already raised over $250,000 using her love of Harley Davidson motorcycles and fashion to create an event she’s called ‘Leather and Lace Ball’.

She recently won the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Victorian ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ for her work with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal. Rhonda also joined Olivia for the entire Great Walk to Beijing fundraiser, walking 228 kilometres of the Great wall of China over 23 days in 2008. Whilst nervous about the challenge, she was determined to do it.

"It’s a great feeling to help out. We can all make a difference and it means everything to cancer survivors like me.”

If you would like to hold a fundraiser in support of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal, click here to find out how.