Harcourts Women’s 5km walk/run takes place on Sunday March 2. The aim? To not only raise the profile of breast cancer and raise much needed funds for the Tasmanian Cancer Council but for women to have fun and be active.
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Over the next 5 weeks, The Examiner will profile 5 women each of whom have been affected by cancer. We will capture their story and also provide weekly tips and hints to not only achieve fitness goals but to set and achieve new lifestyle goals as well.
SOME of Teena O'Keefe's dance students will help open the Women's 5 Kilometre Walk Run.
It's a special occasion for the Dance Fit owner, who has undergone treatment for cancer since 2009.
Doctors found a tumour on the Launceston woman's cervix when she was 20 weeks pregnant with her second child.
She continued her pregnancy while undergoing chemotherapy and had a hysterectomy while delivering Jet?.
``Undergoing chemotherapy while I was pregnant was pretty full-on,'' Mrs O'Keefe said.
Three years later, in 2012, doctors operated on the cancer that had moved into her lung.
At the end of 2013 there were more.
Ms O'Keefe said she was continuing radiation and chemotherapy.
``It's a waiting game,'' she said. ``I live each day to the most.''
Mrs O'Keefe said Jet, now four, was ``like Superman''.
She said her husband and eight-year-old daughter have been tremendous support.
The 38-year-old said her goal was to reach her 40th birthday.
``When you're faced with something like this you have to find the inner strength and do it,'' she said.
``It's almost a gift, because you appreciate every single day.''
To sign up for the 5km walk/run click here http://womens5k.com/
Start fundraising today! Click here to find out more http://5km.gofundraise.com.au