Running for a reason.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Running for a reason.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Perth’s HBF Run for a Reason is back on Sunday 24 May, with a record 2,000 participants signed up to raise funds for PCHF and WA’s sick kids.
So far, more than 75 teams have raised over $33,000 and counting for PCHF. With just weeks to go, we’re highlighting Jordan, Emily and Ash, just some of the inspirational fundraisers running, walking or wheeling for a cause.
Ash – Just keep moving!
PCHF Ambassador Ash, 18, is taking on the 12km run for the first time, joined by one of her biggest cheerleaders, PCH physiotherapist Mel, as well as family and friends.
At 15, Ash experienced a serious brain bleed that changed her life overnight. She spent 414 days at PCH, undergoing multiple surgeries, including one lasting 26 hours, and had to relearn everyday skills like eating, talking, sitting and walking.
Now she’s hoping to raise as much as she can to support PCHF and Kids Rehab WA through her run.
“I was lucky to have an amazing team supporting and pushing me every day,” Ash said. “PCHF and Kids Rehab WA didn’t just help me physically, they helped me believe in myself again, supported me through the tough days and celebrated the little wins that turned into big ones.”
Never one to sit still, Ash walks 8kms most days, and trains by running around the paddock with her dog, Tessa and her pet sheep, Suzie and Benjamin.
“I’m continuing to smash goals, and now it’s my turn to give back. If you can donate, you’re helping kids like me keep going, keep improving, and keep believing in themselves.”
Don’t miss out.
Emily – Bustin’ sneakers out.
First-time mum, Emily, 35, is lacing up for a 12km run, raising funds for PCHF after her one-year-old son, Peter was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, earlier this year.
Peter was diagnosed at Stage D (on a scale from A to E) and is now halfway through treatment at PCH. He has completed four rounds of chemotherapy aimed at preventing the cancer from spreading elsewhere in his body. Encouragingly, his MRI scans have come back clear, and the tumour is responding well. His next stage involves targeted chemotherapy treatment to the eye, targeting smaller ‘seeds’ that have broken away from the main tumour.
The most common eye cancer in young children, treatment for retinoblastoma can range from chemotherapy to, in some cases, removal of the eye.
“While the tumour itself wasn’t large, its location near the retina and the seeding made treatment more complex,” Emily said. “He struggled with some nausea early on, but he’s coping really well so far.”
By sharing Peter’s story, Emily hopes to raise awareness and help other parents recognise the signs of retinoblastoma.
“For many families, it’s picked up through flash photography showing a white reflection in the eye. For us, it was something we noticed in certain lighting – a white glow, or a slight turn in the eye,” she said. “My husband and I suspected it might be retinoblastoma, but at the same time, we hoped it could be a million other things.
“Unfortunately, it will be difficult to tell the true extent of any impact to Peter’s vision until he’s old enough to sit for an eye exam, but the fact he’s responding so well to the treatment is incredible.”
Emily is currently PCHF’s top fundraiser, raising more than $7,000. She’s been training hard, often with Peter as her training buddy in a running pram. A team of five of her Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration colleagues will also take part, walking 3km in Peter’s honour.
“Everyone has been so incredibly generous. We’ve had such an incredible community rally around us, especially my husband’s colleagues at Mineral Resources,” Emily said.
“We’ve received amazing support from the team at PCH, particularly all of the wonderful staff in Clinic H and the ophthalmology team so raising funds for the Foundation is our way of giving back.”
Jordan – PCHF ambassador kid.
Jordan is tackling the 3km course alongside his mum, Shannon, and has been training hard, practising both uphill and downhill running in preparation.
