Mrs Worthington was awarded NSW/ACT Store Manager of the Year in September which led to her national nomination, something that came as a total and unexpected shock.

"I was completely stumped just to be nominated," Mrs Worthington said of the nomination.

"I just come to work every day and do my best."

Mrs Worthington has been with Woolworths for five years in December and manages a team of 90 staff at North Griffith. However, two years ago she was given news that put her life and career on hold.

Mrs Worthington hadn't been feeling well for a few months, finding herself with constant, niggling infections and tiredness but she never imagined she would be diagnised with stage three breast cancer.

"At that point in time I was struggling to work five hours a day," Mrs Worthington said.

"I would sit at my desk at the end of the day and say 'what is wrong with you figure it out'."

At the advice of her boss, Mrs Worthington went and got checked out and was promptly diagnosed with the life threatening illness. What followed was a mastectomy surgery, four and a half months of chemotherapy and then five weeks of radiation therapy.

"Woolies supported me 100 percent through treatment," Mrs Worthington said.

"It didn't really hit me until it was over, I was just looking to the finish line."

North Griffith Woolworths is part of the Pink Up Griffith campaign running throughout October to raise money for the McGrath Foundation. But Mrs Worthington said it's also more about raising awareness.

"I never thought I was going to get cancer at 36," Mrs Worthington said.

"Since participating in the campaign it's just insane to learn how many local people in Griffith have been touched by cancer."

Mrs Worthington and her team at North Griffith Woolworths are hosting a trivia night Saturday 31 of October. If you would like to donate or participate, head over to North Griffith Woolworths and register your interest at the service desk.

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