When the 33-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, a small town with a big heart came together to support one of their own.

It was just an ordinary day like any other when she received the life-changing diagnosis.

Amanda was enjoying a barbecue at a friend’s property with her husband, Mark, and sons Rhys, 8, and Evan, 7, when she fell off a farm quad-bike and landed in an embankment.

“I’m not an experienced rider so I wasn't going very fast when I flipped the quad,” she laughed.  “I went to the doctor as I was feeling sore and sorry for myself and decided to get a check-over.

“That’s when they found it.”

After a series of tests including a mammogram and breast tissue biopsy, they discovered she had six malignant tumours in her right breast, and the cancer had spread to three lymph nodes in her arm.

The cancer was classed as stage three, which according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) “means the breast cancer has extended to beyond the immediate region of the tumour and may have invaded nearby lymph nodes and muscles, but has not spread to distant organs”.

“I was told that my cancer was stage three aggressive cancer,” Amanda said.

“To put this in perspective, stage four is terminal.”

Despite suffering from an advanced form of cancer, Amanda said she had experienced no common symptoms associated with breast cancer before the shock diagnosis.

According to Cancer Australia, symptoms include lumps in the breast, a change in the size or shape of the breast, changes to the skin of the breast including redness or dimpling or nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing.

She said that she was vigilant about checking for signs of cancer due to her mother Carol Lanesbury’s previous battles with ovarian cancer, and later breast cancer.

“Mum was diagnosed with stage three aggressive ovarian cancer at age 44,” Amanda explained.

“Then on her 50th birthday she found out she had breast cancer.

“She was told she had the BRCA2 gene and decided to get a double mastectomy, even though she could’ve got just the lump removed.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, women with a mutation of the BRCA2 gene “account for  20 to 25 percent of hereditary breast cancers and about five to 10 percent of all breast cancers”.

With this knowledge, Amanda underwent testing for the gene. It came back clear.

“My diagnosis was actually a year to the day that I found out that I didn’t have the BRCA2 gene,” she said.

“I thought I was not necessarily safe, but that I had the same chance as every other female in Australia and so it would be something that I probably wouldn’t have to worry about.”

Her treatment necessitated a double mastectomy as well as the removal of 17 lymph nodes from her right side.

When she was informed that the life-saving surgery was not covered by her health fund, the local community stepped up to help one of their own.

This includes the 2327 Charity Bootcamp, which donated to the cause after learning about Amanda’s battle through several of their members.

Co-owner of 2327 Charity Bootcamp, Mitchell Done said that he was amazed by the generosity of the community when it comes to helping out a local stranger in need.

“Three times a year a family is chosen by us and our members who we feel are in dire need of some help and we donate 50 percent of proceeds from one week of operation,” Mr Done explained.

“In addition to this, when we have heard of a difficult situation for a local family, we have also organised a donation drive among our members to raise funds. We did this for Amanda and within three days we had managed to raise $1180.”

A fundraiser night was also held at Amanda’s workplace, East Cessnock Bowling Club, organised by her employer Marlene Hartog and attended by over 100 people.

The fundraiser included entertainment provided by local musicians including country star Kirsty Lee Akers and raffled prizes including a hot air balloon flight provided by Balloon Aloft.

Balloon Aloft general manager David Bain said that donating to the Barrass family felt like the right thing to do.

“I’ve known Amanda for years and was gutted to hear that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Mr Bain said.

“She’s always given so much to the community and has a big smile on her face and we all agreed that donating a balloon flight was the least we could do.”

Kurri Kurri Rugby League Football Club also hosted events including “Pink Day” with the junior rugby league and “Ladies Day” organised by the wives’ of two players from the Kurri Bulldogs.

Amanda said that she was amazed by the way that the community has rallied behind her during this difficult time.

“I’m a singer and I’ve always tried to be active in the community with my singing in things like the Carols by Candlelight and the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival,” she explained.

“The way the community has given back, especially people who haven’t necessarily known me… has gone above and beyond.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and I don’t think there is any other town like Kurri Kurri.”

Since being diagnosed, Amanda has kept the community up-to-date through her social media accounts, with regular updates on her treatment and photos documenting her changing appearance.

She said that sharing her story on Facebook and Instagram is her way of giving back to the community as well as raising awareness of breast cancer in young women.

“The biggest thing for me was that people were so giving and supportive I felt that they had a right to be kept up-to-date,” she said.

“But it’s also an awareness thing, as to be hit by cancer at such a young age was a huge eye-opener for my friends and now they’re keeping in touch with their bodies a bit more.”

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of social media during cancer treatment in empowering patients to make informed decisions about treatment.

This includes a study conducted by the University of Michigan, as reported by Science Daily, which found that “women who engaged on social media after a breast cancer diagnosis expressed more deliberation about their treatment decision and more satisfaction with the path they chose.”

Amanda said that social media has played a critical role in supporting her mental health and reminding her that she isn’t alone.

“It keeps me in touch with people,” she said. “I still feel like I know everything going on in the community and people can send their well wishes.”

Facebook has provided an important platform for Amanda to stay connected with the community. Still the use of social media as a fundraising mechanism has been under scrutiny since the Belle Gibson scandal.

As reported by News Limited, 23-year-old Belle Gibson was “accused of fabricating her terminal brain cancer and making a profit from her story via her wellness app, The Whole Pantry.” Additionally, Gibson allegedly failed to donate $300,000 from the sales of her app to charity that she had promised.

Amanda said that she was disgusted by Gibson’s fraudulent actions and abuse of social media.

“I don’t know how anyone could possibly do it or would want to do it,” She said. “People are really touched by cancer now in so many ways and we are very giving to the fundraising of it.

“I don’t know how anyone could possibly betray the human race like that… I just don’t get it.”

David said the scandal has taken advantage of the Australian sense of “mateship” and hopes it doesn’t discourage the public to give so generously to strangers.

“I’m proud to be part of a community that gives so selflessly and I don’t want that to change,” he said.

With the community’s ongoing support as she continues treatment, Amanda is coping well with the massive life changes thrown her way and her “new normal”.

She said that battling cancer puts everything in perspective and is a constant reminder to live life to the fullest.

“You forget what the normal is because your whole life revolves around doctors’ appointments and whether you are well enough,” She said.

You have to be mindful of germs so socialising is difficult.”

The impact of cancer on Amanda’s young family has also been a learning experience.

“It’s hard for them [her two sons] in the fact that they’re used to having a working mother who sings, to now a mother that stays at home,” she explained.

“Evan used to ask me constantly about when I am going back to work as I used to always be in my work uniform and dropping them at school and normal things like that.”

The hardest part for the young Mum has been the loss of her long blonde hair after aggressive chemotherapy.

“All of a sudden looking like a cancer patient has been hard. Even though having chemo and feeling so sick is horrible, losing my hair has been the most difficult. I had so much [hair], and it’s also your eyebrows and eyelashes.

Things like that are hard for a girl to lose.”

To regain her femininity and keep her mind occupied during treatments, Amanda has started a necklace-making business, R & E Creations.

“They say when you get diagnosed that you need to find a hobby that you can pack away in 5 minutes and do in bed when you’re not feeling well. I started making them to keep my fingers moving and it has been something sensory for me and the boys to do together.

I like to say: When life gave me lemons, I made necklaces!”

With less than twelve months left of treatment, Amanda said she has been overwhelmed by the love and support from those around her.

“It’s been amazing,” She said. “If only love could cure cancer.”

R & E Creations are on sale at Bella You Beauty and Hair in Weston, Heavenly Horizons and Kristy Harris Beauty Therapy, and Artistry at The Junction. $1 from every sale will be donated to the McGrath Foundation.