'When Sharon Greaney was diagnosed with breast cancer in July last year, she had already endured tragedy: the loss of son Cody from a brain tumour, a month short of his sixth birthday, in 2000.
Add to that the premature births of twin daughters Breanna and Alyssa, five days apart, in 2002, and it would be fair to say it has been a very difficult decade.
But, ever positive and upbeat, Mrs Greaney (46) has soldiered on and is busy organising a masquerade ball in Oamaru on September 18 - the 10th anniversary of Cody's death - to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation and CanTeen.
She has organised previous balls, in 2008 and 2007, the latter attended by Act New Zealand leader and former Dancing with the Stars contestant Rodney Hide. Those events raised $4000 and $6500 respectively for the Child Cancer Foundation.
This year, she decided to split the proceeds and involve CanTeen because her elder son Regan (19) had been involved with the organisation and "got so much out of it".
Mrs Greaney hoped to raise $10,000 from the ball, which will be held in the dining room at St Kevin's College.
Aaron Gilmore, who partnered Lorraine Downes to win Dancing with the Stars in 2006, will do some demonstration dances with dance partner Lauren James.
An auction will also be held and will include everything from jewellery to framed underpants signed by All Black Dan Carter.
Mrs Greaney purposely chose the anniversary of Cody's death for the event, and while she acknowledged it would be an emotional night for her, "I'll be amongst friends and everyone's there for the right cause.
"What a great way to celebrate his life and his memories, and all those children and young people that have gone through the cancer journey."
Cody died just 12 days after being diagnosed with a tumour and Mrs Greaney said the family were "so blown away" by the support they received in that short time, she "just felt compelled to give something back".
Raising money for cancer-related organisations was a passion, even more so this year because of what she had been through herself.
"I now have this understanding of what the children go through and it's hideous."
Mrs Greaney underwent a mastectomy along with 18 weeks of chemotherapy and then five weeks of radiotherapy. She is now on a course of Herceptin treatment.
What she had endured had made her a stronger person.
"I am who I am because of what I've been through. I guess you can always look and see there's somebody worse off. You just have to pick yourself up and you have to do it for the kids."
Breanna and Alyssa (now 8) had coped well during their mother's treatment.
"They didn't falter really. They knew some days that Mum just couldn't do things and that was OK."
While Mrs Greaney still got tired, she said it was important to listen to your body.
"When you're tired, you need to have a rest and do what you can, when you can."
The idea of organising a ball originally stemmed from dancing lessons she and husband John were having, and the Dancing with the Stars television show which she "loved".
She enjoyed the satisfaction of raising money for a worthwhile cause and also seeing people enjoying themselves.
She was appealing to businesses for support, saying it was a great opportunity for an early Christmas function or just a work outing.
"It's such a fun night."
As if not already busy enough, Mrs Greaney has also joined the committee organising the first Relay for Life in Oamaru next year, raising money for the Cancer Society.
