Looking for an active activity that you can do as a family? Neuroblastoma Australia’s 10th annual Run2Cure will take place on Sunday 2 April 2023. This event raises funds for vital research into the devastating children’s cancer, neuroblastoma – the number one cause of cancer deaths in children under 5 years of age.
A North Shore Mum shares her child’s Neuroblastoma challenges…
Erin is a North Shore Mum whose daughter Emeline was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2020. When she first found out in May 2020, she posted in the North Shore Mums Facebook group and received a huge amount of love, support and advice. She shares her story:
‘After months of misdiagnoses, including a middle-of-the-night emergency trip to the hospital, I took Emeline to a paediatric gastroenterologist believing her tummy issue was severe constipation. There was something wrong, we could feel it in our gut.
“The doctor felt a hard lump in her tummy and ordered an X-ray. Then an ultrasound. We will always remember the sight of the doctor running from his office to the scan room to consult with the doctors there. We just knew. It’s cancer.” Erin, Emeline’s Mum
He sent us for immediate admission at Westmead Children’s. Emeline had a primary tumor in her abdomen and it had spread to lymph nodes in her chest and neck. After a year that included five rounds of chemo, an 8-hour surgery, one round of high-dose chemo that required stem cell rescue, 12 rounds of radiotherapy, and three rounds of immunotherapy, she unfortunately still has some stubborn lymph nodes in her abdomen and chest that are still active. Fortunately, they appear to be quietly retreating and we hope she will reach NED (no evidence of disease) in the near future.
Emeline is a strong, bright, cheerful four-and-a-half-year-old girl. She adores her big brother, Caleb, and loves trying to keep up with him and loves being a big sister to baby Indie. This has been a long, hard, bumpy journey, at times dark and painful, but at other times a learning experience from which we have no other option but to grow and thrive. Our family and friends have come together to lift us up and carry us through the darkest days.
We don’t know what’s to come, we don’t even know what’s next in terms of treatment because her cancer is proving to be more stubborn than we expected. But we do know we won’t be fighting alone.’
How you can help children like Emeline
Run2Cure Neuroblastoma is a fun run organised by the registered charity, Neuroblastoma Australia.
Run2Cure is held annually in The Domain, Sydney and attracts between 5000 and 6000 participants. It is the charity’s largest fundraising event for research into the aggressive childhood cancer, neuroblastoma.
Family Fun Run race options… something for all ages and abilities!
Whether you’re a runner, walker, or just enjoy getting out and about with the kids, you’ll find there’s no limit to the fun at this year’s family fun run event.
Walk, jog or run 1K (Little Heroes, for children under 5 with their family), or join a timed 3K, 5K or 10K to raise funds for more effective treatments for the children’s cancer neuroblastoma.
New for 2023, there will also be a 2.2km family and friends relay – team up with your son or daughter and do the family 2.2k! You can even wear a tutu too to make it a bit more fun. There will also be pony rides and mini obstacle courses on the day.
You can register for the event as individuals, families or a group. Funds raised go directly towards much needed research in this greatly underfunded cancer area.
Raising important funds for Neuroblastoma
Lucy Jones is the CEO of Neuroblastoma. She lost her beautiful daughter, Sienna, at only two and a half years of age to neuroblastoma and is exceptionally passionate about the charity she subsequently co-founded. Read her story here.
Since 2012, Run2Cure has raised more than $750,000 for research into neuroblastoma – but further funding is needed to continue this research to help improve the lives of, and outcomes for neuroblastoma patients. This year CEO Lucy Jones has ambitious plans to smash through the $1 million milestone and with an expectation of 5000-10,000 participants, she’s sure to exceed her goal!
Lucy’s daughter Sienna, who passed away at 2.5 years from neuroblastoma
“We don’t need a miracle to find a cure for neuroblastoma, we just need the help of the community. Though events such as Run2Cure, we can help raise critical funds that will help us move closer to finding a cure and give children with neuroblastoma the chance to live the long and healthy lives that they deserve.”
In addition to spot prizes on the day for dress ups, Neuroblastoma Australia is offering fantastic incentive prizes for fundraising, or getting sponsored ahead of the event. Participants are eligible for these as they reach fundraising milestones.
Everyone is welcome to come along to the Run2Cure! So sign up to take part in this action-packed day.
Neuroblastoma Run2Cure: Event Details
- When: Sunday 2 April 2023, 7.15am-12.30pm
- Where: The Domain, Sydney CBD
Fun for the whole family, for a great cause the whole community can support
