Thousands of people will lace up their sneakers to run or walk in an effort to raise money for breast cancer this weekend and one Calgarian is inspiring others to take up the cause.
Diane Martin is full of energy now, but it was a long road to regain her vitality after she fought and beat breast cancer twice.
After she received the first diagnosis she thought her life was over.
"My dad had just been diagnosed recently with cancer and he died two weeks after being diagnosed. So when I was first diagnosed that's all I had in my head, I've got two weeks left to live," said Martin.
After the initial shock, Martin decided she was going to fight.
She did and won the first round, but a second diagnosis followed. "I just went, you know what, I've fought and I've won, I just have to go at it again and win because I wanted to stay around for a long time."
Donna Leonard marvels at her sister's courage and resilience.
"Watching her go back time after time for her treatment, and always going in knowing how terrible she'd feel afterwards but always going in with a sense of humour and being so determined she was going to beat it," said Leonard.
Martin now brings that determination to counselling sessions she provides for newly diagnosed women and is taking part in this weekend's CIBC Run for the Cure.
For the way she fought breast cancer twice and now encourages others, Diane Martin is this week's inspiring Albertan.
