Julieta Weiss was diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer last July.

The same disease claimed the life of her sister Maria Ellen, 41, two years ago.

Mrs Weiss, who nursed her sister through that battle, is now facing the same situation herself.

Mrs Weiss, her husband George, and three children Garlee, 28, Sarah, 26, and Paul, 24, and grandson Zidane, two, believe the drug Herceptin is her best chance of survival.

However, Herceptin comes at a cost of up to $70,000 annually and is out of reach of many sufferers.

The drug is not available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

This cancer drug, used in the advanced stages of breast cancer, attracted national attention earlier this year when Shepparton woman Tania Calley planned to put her family house on the market to pay for it.

Selling the Weiss family's house to raise the money for treatment is not an option.

Herceptin is a breakthrough for cancer treatment, cutting the recurrence rate by half, but it must be taken during or within three months of chemotherapy to be effective.

Mrs Weiss' three months comes up on April 17.

"I get upset and sad about it," Mrs Weiss said.

"If there's another woman in the area maybe we can get together and do something. We have a better chance of getting this medicine."

Mrs Weiss had chemotherapy from September to November last year. Then she travelled to Melbourne every day for six weeks for radiation therapy.

"When I finished the treatment I was in bed. I couldn't sleep, I had shortness of breath and sore legs," she said.

The Weiss family has organised an event to raise money to buy Herceptin and need as much support as possible.

The fundraiser will be at The Palais on Sunday, May 7, and will feature an art auction, live music and a raffle.

Mrs Calley, who will start radiation soon, said she would be there to support Mrs Weiss as much as she could.

"I'll be there, I'll travel down," Mrs Calley said.

"I was blown away when strangers donated money to help me."

Anne Holden, a good friend of the Weiss', said Mrs Weiss always went out of her way to help other people.

"Julieta finds it hard to be a recipient - for people to help her," Ms Holden said.

For inquiries contact Julieta Weiss on 5348 1506.