Did you know that brain cancer is the number one cancer killer of young people?
This September, I’m really throwing myself in the deep end and lacing up my runners for Connor’s Run, a cause I’ve supported for years.
I’m running to honour my dear friend Tim “Barrel” Money and his beautiful family, who lost their precious five-year-old niece Gracie, to paediatric brain cancer. Gracie’s life was heartbreakingly short, but the love she inspired in her family, the wider community and everyone who knew her will never fade.
Over the years, my support for the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation has become deeply personal. I’m honoured to host the annual Gracie’s Gift Day at Riverside Cricket Club. A beautiful event in memory of Gracie that raises vital funds for the RCD Foundation. In 2020, I also ran over 125 kilometres in a single month to help raise money for kids and families fighting this heartbreaking battle.
Now, seven months postpartum, I will run nearly 10 kilometres on September 14th , despite not having run a single step in over 18 months.
This run is for her. It’s for Tim. It’s for the entire Money family. It’s for every little warrior and every family who has faced the unimaginable.
As a mum to Bobby, Florence and Esmé, I count my blessings every single day. I cannot begin to fathom the pain of hearing the words no parent should ever hear. I cannot imagine the endless hospital corridors, the sleepless nights, the moments of hope followed by heartbreak. And yet, for too many families this is their reality.
This is why I will run.
You can support my journey here.
As a mum of three, I know how tough things are right now with the rising cost of living. That’s why I’m asking for even $5 donations, every bit helps me raise whatever I can to support those affected by brain cancer.
The Devastating Reality of Paediatric Brain Cancer
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Paediatric brain cancer is the deadliest disease for Australian children and young people. Behind every statistic is a family like Gracie’s, navigating a nightmare they never chose.
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Around 120 children and adolescents in Australia are diagnosed with brain cancer each year.
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Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for kids under 14.
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On average, three Australian children die from cancer every single week, many from brain tumours.
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Even for those who survive, treatments often leave lifelong challenges, from learning difficulties to physical disabilities.
These numbers are shocking, but they’re also deeply personal. They represent stolen futures, shattered families and fierce battles fought every single day.
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation: Changing the Odds
The Robert Connor Dawes (RCD) Foundation was founded in 2013 by Liz and Scott Dawes in memory of their son, Connor, who tragically passed away at just 18 from brain cancer. Their mission is simple but powerful: to change the odds for kids and young adults with brain cancer.
Through Connor’s Run and other fundraising efforts, the RCD Foundation invests in:
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Groundbreaking research – funding innovative treatments, including a brain cancer vaccine and cutting-edge immunotherapy programs.
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Clinical trials – giving Australian children access to the very latest treatment options.
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Support for families – easing the emotional and practical burden during the hardest chapters of their lives.
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Global collaboration – uniting leading researchers and scientists across the world to find better treatments, faster.
Every dollar raised is a step towards hope, healing, and a future where no family has to endure this heartbreak.
Why I’m Running
I’m running for Gracie.
I’m running for the Money family.
I’m running for every child who should have had more time.
And I’m running for every parent holding their baby a little tighter tonight. Grateful, as I am, for health, for life and for the chance to love them fiercely.
This run isn’t just about kilometres or fitness goals. It’s about standing alongside families facing the unimaginable and showing them they’re not alone. It’s about fighting for more tomorrows.
If you can, I’d love for you to join me, whether that’s donating whatever you can, sharing my story, or simply holding these families in your thoughts.
Click here to donate directly
