NEWS

The North West Cancer Centre (NWCC) has benefitted from a generous act of community spirit.
Everyday Lions Events hosted the Light Night Glow Run at Mersey Bluff in August and after a massive event and lengthy tally up has donated nearly $5,000 to the NWCC.

Money was raised though the entry fees of the nearly 1,600 participants as well as rattle tins at the event, the biggest night run ever seen on the North West Coast.
Event coordinator Brian Lyons said The Light Night Glow Run is an inclusive running and walking event held in late August each year.

“This event has now been held three times and has had a significant growth rate each edition,” Brian said.

“We had 1,400 registered runners and walkers, but well over 200 guardians that ran with their children. 

“Everyday Lions Events and (major sponsor) Hudson365 raised just under $5,000 dollars, this was achieved by donating $5 from our registrations in the 4km and 8km events and via our donation portal.

“Community is everything and our events would not happen without the support of businesses like, Hudson 365. 

“I am personally a huge advocate for getting kids moving, and that is what our
school’s competition has been able to do.

“What we have found is that parents and guardians are joining in with their kids and making it a more of a community event. 

“We try as much as we can to give back to community through our events by giving out prizes or sponsoring sporting groups or individuals ourselves.”

“This charity was personally close to James (Leslie, Hudson365) and his family and I was aware of the work they had done watching cricket and I was totally onboard.

“I loved that the money stayed right here on the North West Coast of Tasmania.”
Gill Slater, Clinical Nurse Consultant – McGrath Breast Care Nurse said community support is invaluable.

“It allows purchasing of extras which help the patients to feel supported at a very difficult time in their lives, they know they are not alone,” Gill said

“A donation of this size is fantastic and will be used to assist the purchase headwear for patients who lose their hair during chemotherapy, aluminium free deodorant for use during radiation therapy, moisturisers, chilli towels to help with symptom management before and after radiation. 

“We also purchase gift bags from local businesses at Christmas to gift to patients going through treatment and gift vouchers for necessities for day to day living.

“Having the Cancer service on the North West Coast is fantastic as it cuts down on travel time for the patients and means that they can spend more time with their family and friends (rather than travelling) as time is precious and also if you are not feeling well travel is very fatiguing.

“We also service a high catchment area including a high population travelling at times from the WestCoast.

“This enables more people to access treatment in a timely manner.

“If organisations would like to donate for breast cancer patients on the North West Coast they can contribute to the North West Cancer Centre, Burnie.

“They can also donate to the McGrath foundation which funds the McGrath Breast Care Nurses.”

Event major sponsor James Leslie of Hudson365 said working within the community was important for him as a sponsor.

“From the first year we signed on as the major sponsor we made it a condition of our support that there was a significant link to a charitable cause and the Everyday Lions team were very happy to oblige,” James said..

“In past events we have supported cancer charities through the Tim Blair Foundation and Breast Cancer Networks and this year I suggested we try and impact the NW Cancer Centre to ensure that local people can get access to some funds that might make their tough journey a little easier. 

“About 15 years ago my mother Louise was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.

“She battled through and we are super grateful that she’s still with us today.

“It became very obvious over that time that resources are stretched and ever since those days our family have been active personally and in business to support cancer charities as much as we can.

“My wife, Simone, also has cancer connections close to her heart so it’s vitally important to us and we love the chance to give back.” Not just a sponsor, James turned amateur athlete on the night too.

“While my aging 41-year-old body struggled through the 2km with my energetic 9-year-old Hudson it was beautiful to see the community come out and support such a wonderful event and worthy cause,” James said.

“I saw some people on the night that have been through the cancer journey and have come out the other side but the thing that really hit home was when people came up and spoke about losing family members to the disease and how much they appreciate the fundraising efforts and that they loved knowing that their donations were going to something that affected them personally.

“It puts everything in perspective and makes us realise how important it is to do these things.”

Article – Will Braid