The Amazing Race Australia winner Toni Hilland’s brain tumour diagnosis

A celebratory night out was short-lived for reality TV’s Toni Hilland when her unexpected collapse led to a grim discovery.

Toni Hilland and husband Heath Curry. Pic: Supplied

Fresh from defying her terminal breast cancer diagnosis and winning robust reality show The Amazing Race Australia, Melbourne’s Toni Hilland has been dealt a crushing blow, with the discovery of tumours in her brain.

Hilland and her husband Heath Curry were out to dinner celebrating their success on the Channel 10 reality show last month when her world was turned upside down again.

Hilland, 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. Last year it was discovered she had terminal secondary breast cancer.

Determined to get the most out of their time together the couple signed up for The Amazing Race.

“We know life is precious and life is short and we really want to do as much as we can while we are able to do that,” Curry said.

Toni and Heath in action on The Amazing Race Australia.

Out for dinner on the night that the $250,000 first prize dropped in their bank account, Hilland collapsed.

“I had a glass of prosecco to celebrate and I just did not feel great and I ended up passing out in the restaurant,” Hilland said.

“I got taken to the Alfred and because of my terminal diagnosis they wanted to do a brain scan. Unfortunately they did an MRI and I have a couple of tumours in my brain.”

Hilland is being treated with chemo and a new immunotherapy drug.

Hilland’s new cancer battle has made her time even more precious.

“It has shortened my expected life even further now that it has spread to the brain,” she said. “When I was diagnosed (with breast cancer) and told it was terminal I was told it (life expectancy) was five years average and now it is one to two.

“I don’t want to waste time in bed crying. My motto is seize the day, carpe diem.

“People with or without cancer, live like they have got forever and worry about retirement and all sorts of things and I am like: live every day, it is potentially your last, you don’t know what is around the corner, so that is what we are doing. There is still a lot of life in me.”

Hilland and Curry are taking part in the Cancer Council of Victoria’s Walking Stars fundraising night on Saturday, December 3.

Walking Stars is Melbourne’s only night walking half marathon with participants taking a 21 km course around Melbourne from 8pm starting at Kings Domain.

“We’ve raced around the world for eight weeks carrying very heavy backpacks, so the

least you can do is come join us walking around Melbourne for a half marathon,” Hilland said.

Visit Walking Stars for more information or to register.