Mrs Aker (69) had kept her 1992 brush with cancer relatively quiet but felt it was time at the weekend to acknowledge she had had a 2.5kg lump removed from her stomach.
She is well known in North Otago, particularly for her about 35 years' dedication to Scouting. At the Awamoa Park event, she and Graham Keep arranged for North Otago Scouts to come and help set up tents and marquees, then bring in kitchen equipment.
At 5.30am yesterday, she was back to oversee the cooking of breakfast for about 700 taking part in the relay and some of their supporters.
Then she stayed on to walk the last lap at noon.
Mrs Aker was diagnosed with both benign and malignant stomach cancer when she was 46.
''I was determined to remain positive the whole time, to beat it. I did then and I still do now.''
About a month ago, Peebles, her 3 year old Jack Russell, had a benign lump about the size of a tennis ball removed from the back of her neck.
Forty six teams, comprising about 700 registered walkers and about 1000 supporters, took part in the 24 hour relay, organising committee chairwoman Adair Craik said.
She said $76,000 was raised and she was confident of reaching the $80,000 target.
