BY ANY measure, Josie Minniti’s life has been touched by cancer.

She doesn’t want to talk about the who and the when and the how, because it brings back too many painful memories for the victims of what she calls “this terrible disease”.

Suffice to say that her immediate family has endured more than its fair share of horrifying diagnoses and the difficult, prolonged treatment that follows. And she knows from bitter experience that treatment is not always successful.

“I had to step in when something close to home actually hit and I felt that we needed to do something, just to make people comfortable in the hospitals. When I started I just had no idea because I don’t work in that area, I work as a kindergarten assistant,” the 59-year-old Epping woman said.

Now, seven years after her fundraising efforts started, she has raised more than $75,000 with the help of family and friends. About $55,000 has already been spent, always on specific equipment, never as a cash donation.

It started with a wheelchair, and then progressed to beds, special trolleys that can be moved with the touch of a button, a blood-purifying machine, blood-pressure machines, shower trolleys and a luxury, reclining chair designed for those undergoing chemotherapy.

The items were presented to the Austin and Northern hospitals. And at least another $20,000 is waiting to be allocated. Ms Minniti has her sights set on fitting out an entire ward.

She has thought about donating funds for research but decided too much of that cash was lost in administration. It is more satisfying, she believes, to buy equipment that has the potential to make someone’s final days more comfortable than they might otherwise be.

Ms Minniti raises money by organising weekends away, casino outings and dinner dances. Most of the participants join in through word of mouth. There’s no need, really, to advertise, because spots on those trips are snapped up and people have to be turned away.

Many of the people on the trips have been affected by cancer, too, and close bonds have formed. “We were complete strangers and we’ve become like a little family now,” Ms Minniti says.

She said she had been surprised at people’s generosity. Dysons Bus Company and Sunshine Tours offer Ms Minniti discounted rates, which means more of the cash raised goes towards the purchase of equipment. Many of those who come along bring items to donate for sale, even though she’s never asked them to.

Her husband, Rino, has the gift of the gab, having sold a dead weed and a hard-boiled egg for a tidy profit.

“I think the thing behind it is they know what the money’s going to and they’ll buy anything,” Ms Minniti said.

“My brother and sister-in-law, when they see that I’m close to a target, they’ll turn around and write a cheque for the remainder of the money … they’re just behind me 100 per cent of the way.”

The Northern Hospital’s general manager, Maree Cuddihy, described Ms Minniti’s work as amazing and offered “sincere thanks” for her fundraising efforts.

“The money raised by the Josie Minniti Fun Group for Cancer has provided a chair for our oncology patients as well as other items to help make the time spent by our patients in the unit more comfortable,” she said.

“This is yet another example of the incredible work that is being done out in our community to help cancer services at the Northern Hospital.”

Anyone who wants to find out about future trips or get involved with the fundraising can contact Ms Minniti on 9401 4199.