News

This is why we’re walking

May 5, 2023

Robyn and George Willis with grandsons Harry (left) and Will Trist.

Brain cancer affects 7.2 people per 100,000 in Australia, with about 1,896 people diagnosed with brain cancer in Australia annually.

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This includes a number of locals, whose family and friends will be heavily involved in this weekend’s Fleming Partners ‘Walk 4 Brain Cancer’ in an effort to highlight the statistics and encourage support of the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.

A digital honour board and slide show in tribute to those who have lost their battle, or are still battling, will be incorporated into the Sunday morning fundraising event.

It will include a tribute to Melissa Moodie who passed earlier this year, as her family and friends take part in the walk as ‘Team Allitt’.

Also honoured will be Will Trist who, after being diagnosed with an Ependymoma the size of a ping pong ball at age two, lost his battle on April 1, 2022 aged eight.

Will’s grandmother Robyn Willis said families going through a similar experience are “so blessed” to have people like the team at Fleming Partners doing what they can to financially contribute to support and research.

“Will was such a fun-loving, caring little boy and touched the lives of so many in his journey of life and travels,” Mrs Willis said.

“He taught them to live life to the fullest everyday. He is so deeply missed and no family should ever have to suffer like this.

“We all need to donate and help research so that a cure can be found for brain cancer and, therefore, no other family will experience this.”

Diagnosed at the age of two, Will was rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital where he had a complete resection of the tumour and then 30 sessions of radiation.

“This treatment was traumatic for Will, and all family members. However, thankfully, regular check ups proved how incredibly blessed we were that Will was in remission,” Mrs Willis said.

“Candice, Will’s mum, took Will and his brother on a lifetime adventure around Australia where they fished, rode bikes, surfed and swam with Great White Sharks and lived life to the fullest.

“Unfortunately, in 2021 this joy was short lived when Will's eyesight blurred and Perth Children's Hospital confirmed the tumour had returned at the age of seven.”

Back at the Sydney Children's Hospital Will underwent a biopsy which made it impossible for him to smile with his cheeky grin again, and another 30 rounds of radiation.

“After treatment and visiting family, Candice continued to give Will and Harry an amazing three months of crabbing, opal mining, riding camels, canoeing and much more,” Mrs Willis said.

“Tragically in January 2022, Will's MRI showed rapid growth of an aggressive tumour and he was operated on in Perth Children's Hospital.

“After being told there could be trials that may work, the terrible news came that there was nothing more than could be done.

“Candice promised Will that she would not take him back to any more hospitals and brought him back to Deni to be with family, friends and his mates.

“He never complained and always cared about everyone around him. He was so full of courage and strength.”

The Fleming Partners ‘Walk 4 Brain Cancer’ will be held at Deniliquin Rotary Park on Sunday, with walking to start about 11.30am.

Eighteen teams have registered to date. Members are to walk, run, skip, or jump around the course as many times as they can over the space on an hour.