Blood Cancer Awareness Month is marked each year during September to raise awareness of one of the most prevalent and dangerous cancers. 

140,000 Australians are living with blood cancer, a type of cancer that typically doesn’t get the attention that other cancers receive. 

Kiama resident, Sandra Bottrell, was diagnosed with blood cancer 32 years ago.

Sandra, who works as a wellness coach and grief counsellor, said her diagnosis doesn’t make up who she is.

“Blood cancer doesn’t have to be a death diagnosis,” she said. 

The journey to Sandra’s diagnosis began when she noticed something wrong, and went to the doctor to see what was happening.

“I didn’t feel like myself, I had blood work done and it came back abnormal, I was referred to get a bone marrow test to see if I had bone cancer, it came back negative. I was diagnosed with blood cancer,” Sandra said. 

She received treatment but felt there was more she could be doing for her mind and body.

Sandra began her business Raw Love Superfoods Foods making clean, raw, organic food to fuel her body and share her new-found love with others in Melbourne. 

After a series of significant traumatic events in her life, Sandra has dedicated her time to learning about the ways we can take charge of our health without relying on mainstream medicine.

“A lot of organisations focus purely on the medical side. I think health and wellness is just as if not more important,” Sandra continued.

Sandra’s resilience is a testament to her today, she speaks about her condition openly, and wants to channel her experiences into helping others.

Sandra operates her holistic wellness business out of Kiama and offers support in topics of pet loss, death of a loved one, health-related changes and assisting others to support their loved ones going through grief.

For more information about her services, visit sandrabottrell.com.au or Sandra Bottrell Holistic Counsellor