The race to cure paediatric brain cancer

On Sunday 16 September, the Robert Connor Dawes (RCD) Foundation will hold its sixth annual Connor’s Run along Melbourne’s foreshore to support paediatric brain cancer and beat the number one cancer killer of young Australians.

 

With more than 4,000 runners, Connor’s Run is Australia’s largest fundraising event for paediatric brain cancer and is aiming to raise $700,000 with the support of major sponsors Coles, Renault, hockingstuart, NAB, QMS and PrimeQ.

 

In the last five years, Connor’s Run has raised $2.2 million for paediatric brain cancer.

 

The funds raised have supported more than 63 projects, including AIM Brain Project. The RCD Foundation and the Federal Government have committed $2 million over four years for the AIM Brain project, which will provide world-leading molecular diagnostic testing to every child in Australia and New Zealand diagnosed with a brain tumour.

 

Now in its sixth year, the RCD Foundation is aiming to raise $700,000 and this year is announcing its support of a new project, the work of Dr Misty Jenkins at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Dr Misty Jenkins’ research on immunotherapy could unlock a new paediatric brain cancer treatment that retrains the body’s own immune system to fight their cancer.

 

CEO and Founder of the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation and mother to Connor, Liz Dawes, says she’s been blown away by the support for the event and funds raised each year, which is able help every Australian child diagnosed with brain cancer.  

 

“Through the amazing efforts of our Connor’s Run supporters, we have reached a stage in our foundation where we are investing in some of the most important research into paediatric brain cancer around the world.”

 

Connor’s Run spans 18.8km from Hampton Beach to Alexandra Gardens, to honour the life of 18-year-old Connor Dawes. It’s the same track Connor once ran in preparation for his upcoming rowing season and coincidentally, the length of his life.

 

The second run length is 9.6km, from Catani Gardens St Kilda to Alexandra Gardens, representing Connor’s birthday, 9 June.

 

For more information on Connor’s Run, to make a donation or support a participant, please visit www.connorsrun.com

 

 

About the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation

 

Inspired by a big heart and brain, the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation was created in June 2013 in the memory of Robert Connor Dawes. Who, at just 18 years of age, lost his 16-month battle with brain cancer.

 

Connor’s Run is the main fundraising event for the RCD Foundation, which supports brain projects in the areas of research, care and development – to fund the science to end brain cancer and support patients in the meantime.

 

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