For 25 years, Grant MacDonald has helped keep Bendigo Health running.
For the past six years, Bendigo Health has helped keep him fighting.
Since being diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2019, the long-serving Facilities Management team member has undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, a bone marrow transplant, CAR T-cell therapy and multiple life-threatening complications.
But Grant does not describe himself as a cancer survivor.
"I'm a cancer fighter," he said.
It is a mindset that has carried him through every challenge and continues to shape the way he approaches life today.
Rather than dwelling on his own circumstances, Grant is focused on making a difference for others through the Corvette for Cancer raffle, raising funds and awareness for cancer services across Bendigo Health.
"I know I'm not going to benefit from this," Grant said. "But if we can get more services in Bendigo, my kids' kids and my friends' kids will, and that'd be fantastic."
That desire to help future generations comes from lived experience.
Over the past six years, Grant has spent months travelling between Bendigo and Melbourne for specialist treatment, often separated from his family during some of the most difficult periods of his life.
Standing beside him every step of the way has been his wife of 27 years, Bronwyn.
A Bendigo Health nurse herself, Bronwyn has been Grant's strongest supporter through every diagnosis, treatment and setback.
"Bron's been unbelievable," Grant said. "You don't go through something like this on your own. Cancer affects the whole family."
The experience has reinforced Grant's belief that access to more specialist cancer services in Bendigo would make a significant difference for regional families.
"It's not just about the patient," he said. "When you're having treatment in Melbourne, the whole family is affected. There's nothing like being able to go home at night, sleep in your own bed and be with your family."
Grant is quick to praise the care he has received across Bendigo Health, from the cancer centre and emergency department to the intensive care unit, inpatient wards and wellness programs.
His journey has shown him that cancer patients are cared for across the entire health service.
"Cancer patients are seen everywhere," he said. "So many people have played a part in looking after me."
While many people in his position might be slowing down, Grant is doing the opposite.
Guided by the advice to "be positive and active", he continues to set goals and chase experiences that bring him joy.
There is a trip to Darwin planned to catch a barramundi, Christmas celebrations with family, his 60th birthday next March, and milestones with the Strathfieldsaye Storm Football Club, which he describes as his second family.
Then there is Corvette for Cancer.
What started as a modest fundraising goal to sell a book of tickets has grown into a community-wide effort, supported by colleagues, friends, family and local clubs determined to get behind one of their own.
For Grant, the campaign has become much more than fundraising.
It is a chance to leave a lasting legacy for future cancer patients and their families.
"If I can leave the world a better place and help someone else through their journey, that'd be fantastic," said Grant.
Even after six years of fighting cancer, Grant remains focused not on what lies behind him, but what’s ahead - the next goal, the next opportunity to help someone else.
Be part of the legacy Grant is building. Enter the Corvette for Cancer Raffle for your chance to win a $236,000 Corvette. Drawn 13 June at the McKean McGregor Gala Ball.