The two recently marked 12 months of remission from breast cancer and yesterday celebrated by taking part in the Mother's Day Classic.

Mrs Lancaster also marked another very special milestone recently - welcoming her first grandchild Lincoln a week ago. She was diagnosed with Paget's disease of the nipple in late 2016 and feared she may not be around to see that day.

"It's fantastic because when you first hear you wonder 'will I see my kids have kids?'"

Mrs Lancaster said every day was a blessing and she loved spending time with Mrs De Bono.

"We've had so many great times together," she said.

Mrs Lancaster said a number of family members had been touched by breast cancer and she wasn't shocked by her diagnosis.

She said supporting the Mother's Day Classic was extremely important to her.

Mrs De Bono, 52, said she was extremely grateful to be able to take part in the event with her daughter Dominique De Bono and granddaughter Charlotte, 6. "It's exceptionally special to spend time with my children and grandchildren," she said.

"It gave me the insight to really live life."

Mrs De Bono was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer just before the annual fund-raising event in 2017.

"I had my surgery the Friday prior to the Mother's Day Classic so I couldn't walk in it that year," she said.

Mrs De Bono said she was delighted when organisers of the event sent her an email to let her know they were thinking of her. After the partial mastectomy she underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, which made her violently ill.

Following that she underwent radiation.

Mrs De Bono said it was a blessing she was able to undergo her treatment in Warrnambool.

"I was able to stay in my home and I had the support of all my family and grandkids," she said.

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