Alison Gould was inspired to sign up after a letter inviting her mother to take part in the event as a cancer survivor arrived in the mail after her death.

"When I saw the letter I felt this was something our whole family could do that she would have loved," Mrs Gould said.

Her mother, Jane Scarlett, 69, died earlier this year after a courageous eight-year battle against myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer. A much-admired Rosebud identity, Mrs Scarlett was a former Dromana Secondary College teacher and an active member of the local Salvation Army Church.

She was awarded an Order of Australia in 2003 for her services to young people in the Guide movement and in the community through the Salvos.

Mrs Scarlett took part in several drug trials during her illness and also helped others as a cancer counsellor.

"She was an amazing woman who did amazing things," Mrs Gould said. "She and my dad, Don, have always been about service to the community."

This year, the Light the Night fund-raiser aims to collect more than $2million for research and to improve the quality of life for patients. At sunset on September 15, teams of relatives, friends and work colleagues will gather in Melbourne's Treasury Gardens to illuminate balloons – gold to remember a lost loved one, white to celebrate being a survivor and blue to give hope and show support.

To sponsor Alison Gould, visit www.lightthenight.org.au and type in 'Alison Gould' in the link or call 1800 500 088.