About a month later the young East Maitland woman will take centre stage for Maitland Relay For Life.

This month Ms Gaiter, 24, bravely told her story to The Mercury to promote awareness of the defective breast cancer gene known as BRCA1.

Since then she been flooded with support and has been approached by the NSW Cancer Council to become the face of Maitland’s new look event.

“I have been involved in the committee for Maitland Relay for Life for the past two years and not only is it a fantastic fundraising opportunity but it really brings the community together to remember and to heal,” Ms Gaiter said.

Gyan was tested for BRCA1 in January last year after losing two aunts to breast cancer. Another survived the disease but died when ­cancer developed in her ovaries.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect the sufferer but can be scarring for the families and close friends watching the person go through it, so I feel it is really important to take this time to reflect on what has happened,” Ms Gaiter said.

“This year Maitland Relay for Life will be five weeks after my preventative double mastectomy and I will be attending to reflect on the past 12 months, to thank my previous family members who went through cancer and for giving me the knowledge to do something about it.”

Ms Gaiter has also been asked to light the candle of hope at the end of the event.

“I am honoured to be lighting the hope ­candle, I am hoping for a cure and for people in my situation to have better preventative options in the future.”

This year’s Maitland Relay For Life will be held on September 5 at Maitland Sportsground starting at 10am with a ceremony for carers and survivors. The event will close with a fireworks display at 10pm.

For more information or to donate visit wwwrelayforlife.org.au/Maitland.