Coleen was born in Pakistan and lived around the world, her childhood filled with adventures, before moving to England as a teenager.

She trained as a registered nurse and midwife before migrating to Australia in 1983.

“I loved my job. I love babies and helping mums during labour.”

One night after a late shift, Coleen noticed a lump on her neck.

“My daughter Tamsin, a junior doctor at the time, was around that day. After checking the lump, she immediately told me I needed a CAT scan. I had no pains or symptoms to suggest something was wrong.

“A day later, I received the scan film, which Tamsin checked. She rushed away with my husband, Michael, to see a friend who was a radiologist.”

Tamsin and Michael came home in tears and told Coleen that she probably had lung cancer. Coleen’s son Jamie arrived soon after and was devastated.

“In July 2006, I was officially diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The doctor told me it was inoperable because it was too big and had already spread. This is the most common lung cancer diagnosed in non-smokers.

“I was told my life expectancy without treatment was maybe a year, and around 14 months with treatment.”

Tamsin set a date for her wedding with her long-term partner so her mother could be part of this special moment.

“My family spoke to the celebrant who was willing to come to my hospital room and marry them there. But I turned a corner and I was able to go to the wedding – I even made a speech with my oxygen cylinder and tubes.”

In June 2008, Coleen’s husband Michael was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died that September, just three months after his diagnosis.

Almost a year later, Coleen received the news she had been waiting for ever since she became a mother: she was about to become a grandmother.

In the years after, Coleen was diagnosed with subsequent cancers. She remained positive, underwent all recommended treatments and achieved remission. But the side effects of surviving multiple cancers remain.

“Cancer is a cruel disease that doesn’t discriminate.

“Lung cancer affects people of all backgrounds – it’s young fit people, it’s non-smokers and it’s everything in between. Lung cancer survivors like me are extremely rare.”

Coleen joined the WEHI Consumer Program four years ago. She works with world-leading WEHI researchers who gather meaningful insights from her experiences, to shape their efforts to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.

“Medical research saved me. It might be you or your family, who may need saving one day. A donation today to WEHI is an investment in your future – and the future of those you love.”