Clutha District Bruce ward councillor Gaynor Finch, of Milton, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has begun her first wave of treatments.
Cr Finch was one of the most vocal when the Milton community tried to save the town's last bank. The ANZ bank closed last month.
Now, facing cancer, she does not want her latest fight to be in vain.
''I really, really want something positive to come out of this,'' she said.
Cr Finch set up a Givealittle page, not for herself but for the Cancer Society, because she hoped other people would think about those affected by the disease.
''I'd just like people to think about all the families and really young children facing cancer at Christmas time.''
Cr Finch said it might be the wrong time of the year to be asking for help, but the timing was not up to her.
One of her identifying features has been her long black hair streaked with fluorescent colours.
''That was one of my first questions initially: will I lose my hair? I have always had long hair and had my colourful streak in it.''
Cr Finch has already begun her treatment. She had a tumour removed as well as her lymph nodes.
She is in the middle of chemotherapy and will start radiation therapy after that.
Because of her treatment, she has had to suspend working as a vet - she risked being exposed to animal infections and diseases.
Not working or being as active as she is used to was the hardest thing for her, she said.
''I don't do sitting around doing nothing ... I'm a get up and go do things person.''
Remembering others had it worse was one way she is dealing with her health worries.
''I've got a big garden, so when I have got the energy, that'll help a bit with my sanity,'' she said.
Gaynor Finch's Givealittle page can be found at givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/gaynorfinch.
