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Terence’s Story

In late 2015 doctors found a mass growing in my brain after a routine check-up. After monitoring it for a few years, in late 2019 my neurosurgeon discovered that the mass was growing. Two thousand and twenty sucked for a lot of people but throwing in brain surgery and six months of chemo, all while a global pandemic was raging, wasn’t how I had pictured my wedding year!

I married my wife, Alyce, in February before my surgery – just before the lockdowns, so a win for us, I guess.  The year ended much better as we welcomed our son, Ryan, two weeks after chemo ended. He’s our number two, Emily, our daughter, is four. I take my hat off to Alyce for putting up with (I mean, supporting) me through treatment all the while going through pregnancy! Now THERE’S an inspiring story, but not mine…

One day during treatment, I got talking to an older lady who has been battling cancer for years and I was in awe of her positive attitude and bubbly personality. One thing she said that resonated with me was, “My dear, chemo is just the beginning… This journey living with cancer isn’t a sprint, as they say, it’s a marathon. The real challenges are up here,” as she pointed to her head.

So, that night, I decided that 12 months after I completed chemo, I was going to run a marathon. I completed chemo on 18 September 2020. The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival marathon is on the 19 September 2021. Fate perhaps? I’ve never been much of a runner, but why let fear stop me from doing something scary or different? I can’t change the fact that I have brain cancer. What I can change is the way I feel about it and to show those around me that cancer isn’t the GAME OVER moment some people fear it is. Why waste what life we have left in fear of things that could open our eyes to the world?

I’m running this marathon for me and all brain cancer warriors out there and also the people who dedicate their lives to overcoming all forms of cancer.

There are many ways to support the work of ACRF and together, with everyone’s input, we will achieve our goal to outsmart cancer. To find out more head to acrf.com.au/get-involved

Running for S.T.E.F – Elderene is on a mission to Stop Tumours Ending Friendships

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Earlier this year, Stephanie Barker was preparing to run the Mackay half marathon when she realised something wasn’t right. Just days after running 10km, she was flown to Townsville for treatment for an aggressive grade four brain tumour.

“I was totally unaware of what it was to have a tumour, or a mass, or brain cancer, I am so lucky the emergency room doctor was able to stabilise me in Mackay. Once stable, I was flown to the Townsville Hospital where I underwent major brain surgery.”

Before the surgery, Stephanie’s brain tumour was the size of an orange, which meant that she could only spend two weeks at home over Easter before heading back to Townsville to undergo six more weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy.

It was there she met Elderene, a Senior Radiation Therapist and soon to be friend. “We were surprised to find that we have so much in common, we are both originally from Africa and had spent time living in England before getting married and making the move to sunny Queensland.”

The similarities didn’t end there – Stef and Elderene also share a passion for running. “I had been training for the Mackay run before being diagnosed but, unfortunately, doctors advised me not to run.”

“Being the character that I am, I started joking that Elderene should run in my place.” What Stef didn’t know at the time was that Elderene had actually completed 22 full marathons. “Unlike me she’s a veteran of distance – I’m in awe of her as I have to drag myself over the line in a half marathon.” Elderene assured her that 42.2km is nothing compared to having to battle a grade four brain tumour.”

A few days later, Elderene had some big news for Stef, “Elderene was bursting with excitement as she told me that she had been given a spot in the 2016 London Marathon, and that she would be running for me!”

“I am still stunned, so overwhelmed! Elderene had taken me so seriously that she is now going to travel 16,000km at her expense to run for me in the London Marathon.”

‘S.T.E.F’ became an inspiring acronym for the ‘Running for Stef’ Fundraising Campaign: Stop Tumours Ending Friendships. Elderene explained that raising money and awareness made her feel like she was playing her part.

“I want to see a cure for cancer in my lifetime and my aim is to raise $10,000 for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation for Stef and the thousands of people who are battling cancer.”

Click here to support Elderene.

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Where one daughter leads, her mother follows – an inspiring distance runner shares her story

Professor Anne Boyd, marathon runner, fun runs, run for cancer research, cancer charity, charity foundation, fighting cancer, online fundraising, charity volunteer, city2surf, chairity challenge, cancer, fitness

“I truly believe we will beat cancer, possibly in my lifetime.” – Professor Anne Boyd.

Professor Boyd is 69 years young and discovered her passion for distance running only a few short years ago. This has led her to not only become a great advocate for cancer research, raising both funds and awareness, but it has also led her to win the Sydney Striders F65-69 Marathon trophy and become the Southern Highlands Challenge poster girl!

Her love affair with running began back in 2013, when she decided that, in celebration of her 67th Birthday, she would compete in her first 5K run at the Australian Running Festival in Canberra.

Two years later, she has become a dedicated running enthusiast and has completed a number of challenging races including City2Surf, four Half Marathons, the Melbourne Marathon and numerous other competitive10Ks.

“I’ve loved every step, even the more painful ones. I enjoy mid-race conversations with other runners and play up photo opportunities! A camera is always worth a grin and a grin helps deal with any fatigue issues which might be building up. Although there is real pleasure in achieving a personal best, my only important aim in a run is to finish,” says Anne.

Anne sees the sport as a really great way to raise funds for a cause that touches all our lives.

“I am personally so grateful for advances in cancer research. I’ve had tests detect precancerous polyps, which I had removed, and a recent breast scan that detected a small lump which was quickly determined not to be of any danger. These advances, of course, are bought about through the research that has made such great strides in my lifetime. But it needs everyone’s support, so I’m really happy that I can do my part and run for this cause.”

Anne’s daughter, Helen Louise is a huge supporter of her mum’s new found hobby and has been a great source of inspiration and encouragement to her since the beginning. As a distance runner herself, she became her mum’s go-to for knowledge on all things running and even ran alongside Anne in her very first race, helping her to achieve third place in her age division.

“My darling daughter ran with me as a warm-up for her serious event the next day and was rewarded with considerable grumpiness from her hot and bothered mother during the final kilometres! But to finish was a joy! She has played a key role in my new found passion, so now, where she leads, I follow.”

To support Anne at this year’s City to Surf, click here.

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Why do so many people run for a cause? One runner tells his story.

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Today it seems that everyone (and their dog) is running a fun run, half or full marathon. But what the growing numbers don’t say is how hard it actually is to finish a race. They don’t tell you that there is something special you need, right out of the gate, in order to have a shot at finishing what you’ve started.

You need something that will keep you going when your body is pleading with you to give up.

For most, this will be a cause that is bigger than they are. For Jonathan Weiner it’s the thought of his cousin. Having lost Michelle to cancer, Jonathan became determined to do something to honour her memory and make a difference. It’s fuelled his fire to run in this year’s City2Surf in August.

Jonathan says “I am going to keep a promise that I made her. I promised Michelle that I would do everything in my power to find a cure for this devastating disease, and this is my first step in keeping that promise.”

“Although my cousin died of brain cancer, many different types of cancers have affected my family, which is why I chose to raise funds for the ACRF. It is a way for me to help fund research in all types of cancer,” says Jonathan.

People from all over the world are joining forces to help Jonathan reach his goal of raising $18,000 for cancer research and support him in his journey to honour his cousin.

To get behind Jonathan in his cancer fun run please click here.

To see how you can embark on your own running challenge here.

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Running season is upon us!

city2surf, running, marathons, teams, charity, cancer research, running for the cure, cancer fundraising, It’s time to tie up those laces and get into a rhythm. There are four great running events coming up in locations across Australia.

If you’re a seasoned runner we hope that you’ll consider running for the ACRF in your next event because it’s runners like you that help fund critical cancer research. And if you’re brand new we want to encourage you to become not just any athlete, but the one that will end cancer.

When you join the ACRF running team you join an amazing group of individuals, some that have run over 10 marathons in a year! The ACRF will also be there to encourage you along the way, providing you with a wealth of resources to help you reach your goals.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact run@acrf.com.au or click here.

Best of luck!

Join the cancer research City2Surf team

Yay! We’ve just put our team together for the 2010 Sydney City2Surf & we’d love you to join us!

The Sun Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac, is the community fitness event for everyone. With the right training, anyone, at any age and any fitness level can participate. It’s also an opportunity to raise money for the charity you care about most.

If your thinking of taking part in this year’s event, or have already registered, why not add a bit of extra meaning & team spirit by joining the Australian Cancer Research Foundation City2Surf team?

To join us simply select Australian Cancer Research Foundation as your team when registering, we’re in the yellow category. Visit the City2Surf website to register. Continue reading “Join the cancer research City2Surf team”