The Cessnock woman passed away at home on August 3, 2015, aged 46, after fighting brain cancer on-and-off for eight years.

During her final weeks, Jo and her family received support from the Cessnock-Kurri Kurri-Singleton Palliative Care Service.

“We were blessed to have such medical and emotional support from them during not only Jo's but our family's most vulnerable and heart-breaking time,” Jo’s sister Vanessa said.

“Their knowledge, care and compassion in Jo's last weeks and our last weeks with Jo were very special.”

Inspired by Jo’s love of marathon running, 40 of her family and friends travelled to New Zealand in October last year to take part in the Auckland Marathon while raising funds for the palliative care service.

“This particular marathon is close to our hearts as it was the first marathon Jo ran after her initial brain tumour removal in 2007,” Vanessa said.

“She then went on to run many marathons all over the world despite years of uncertainty, two major brain surgeries, a pacemaker implant, doctors, hospitals, scans and all that goes along with it – with never a negative word and always a smile!

“Jo always had a zest for life, fitting as much as she could into everyday. This wasn't because she thought time was short – this was just the way she was.”

Let’s Go For Jo’s marathon effort raised an amazing $22,564.18 for the palliative care service.

The crew also plans to take part in Cessnock Relay For Life for the third time this year.

Funds raised at Relay For Life go to the Cancer Council’s research, education, patient support and advocacy programs – such as the I Care For Palliative Care campaign.

The Cancer Council NSW campaign is calling on the health minister to end the state’s shortage of palliative care by funding 10 additional specialist palliative doctors, at a minimum; 129 palliative care nurses; and culturally-appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal people.