In early 2008 my family's world was rocked when my fifteen year old brother, Sam, was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. Sam was under the care of the team at PMH (now PCH) where he received nine months of intensive chemotherapy, before we realised that he would require palliative care services, and he died in June 2009. 

The time my brother spent both in and out of hospital was heavily supported by the amazing staff and services at the children's hospital, who did everything they could to ensure that Sam lived his life as normally as possible and our family unit was cared for. Some of these services included Radio Lollipop, Red Kite and the Kids’ Cancer Support Group – all of these services are supported with funding from Telethon.  Sam's dream of seeing a live ice hockey game in Toronto, Canada was granted by the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, where we were lucky enough to go on our last family holiday together, just three months before he died.

Losing a brother to a rare and aggressive cancer at such a young age has hugely impacted who I am today. I have always referred back to my brother’s, and many other children’s journeys when I feel as though I am facing physical or emotional hardship. It really puts so much into perspective for me. This is why I wanted to set myself the challenge of completing my first ever marathon in October this year. I know that for many children with childhood diseases, every day must feel like a marathon. Having seen at first-hand what my brother experienced in his final years/months, I feel even more grateful for my healthy body and would like to use it in a way that makes a positive impact. I will be thinking of my brother and all the other children who are facing childhood diseases every step of the way during the 42.2kms at the Perth Running Festival. I hope I can reach my fundraising target, as supporting Telethon is important to me because of the life-changing impact they have on sick, disadvantaged and vulnerable children.