LEGACY AMBASSADORS

Penny and Zoe Stanley

In March 2017, 5-year-old Zoe Stanley was diagnosed with a rare and incurable giant cell glioblastoma multiforme tumour. Zoe was an incredible and happy little girl – artistic, brave and obsessed with everything unicorns, butterflies and rainbows. After learning of Connor’s Run during a treatment at Peter Mac, Zoe’s family immediately formed the team ‘United Unicorns for Zoe’. The Stanley family and their friends rallied their local Geelong community to raise more than $50,000 for Connor’s Run and brain matters. Unfortunately, Zoe was too unwell to attend the day, and in December 2017, just nine months after diagnosis, Zoe lost her fight. Zoe’s mum Penny made a promise to her little girl she would do all she could to help others facing the same fight, we’re in awe of her strength and forever grateful for their support in changing the odds. In Zoe’s memory, her family have created the foundation Zoe’s Fight to raise funds for paediatric brain cancer research.

In 2023 Zoe’s Fight contributed $15,000 towards the Robert Connor Dawes funding amount of $350,000 for South Australia’s first paediatric brain tumour biobank.

Make a donation in Zoe’s name

Martin and Olivia Phelan

In January 2017, 15-year-old Olivia Phelan was diagnosed with an ependymoma. The shock diagnosis saw Olivia undergo major surgery, which unfortunately could not remove the entire tumour. At the time, the entire family were Singapore-based, but were home visiting family in Melbourne during Olivia’s diagnosis. Meaning, Olivia was treated by Dr. Jordan R. Hansford – an oncologist RCD works with closely and was eligible to take part in the AIM Brain Project, allowing rapid access to the best and most accurate diagnostic information about her tumour. When Olivia’s dad Martin realised it was the RCD Foundation who funded the AIM initiative, he decided to take action. In March 2017 Martin organised a bike ride around the island of Singapore, raising more than $51,000 to support the RCD Foundation in continuing programs like AIM.

Olivia has since completed her treatment and is living her life to the fullest.

Harry Dunn

Harry Dunn is a survivor. He has faced, as a teenager, one of life’s cruellest obstacles – a brain tumour. Harry is one of the lucky ones, his brain tumour was benign. He had a successful surgery and is now living his life, a different life, for sure. He has to deal with tiredness uncharacteristic for a young man and eyes that are much more sensitive. But his life is his to live. Harry could have moved on from this experience, hoping to put it all behind him. Instead, he has embraced our charity, enthusiastically taking part in Connor’s Run each year and amassing a large cohort to run and fundraise along with him. He is dedicated to giving back and helping other young people deal with the same cruel diagnosis but with a much crueller prognosis.

Dustin Perry

In 2013 Dustin Perry’s then five-year-old daughter, Chloe was diagnosed with brain cancer and was treated over four years, unsuccessfully. The dad of three was appalled by the lack of funding given to the disease, so in April 2017 Dustin wrote to then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull regarding the low survival rates of brain cancer and the lack of effort and funding by the government. The letter was published in The Australian and soon went viral, with Dustin making a number of appearances on Ten’s The Project. After meeting with Malcolm Turnbull and the Minister for Health Greg Hunt, a brain cancer roundtable meeting followed. This resulted in the launch of the Australian Brain Cancer Mission in October 2017. Dustin’s sheer determination also led to the Federal Government co-funding RCDF’s AIM Brain initiative.

Dustin is a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee for ABCM at Cancer Australia. He’s currently working alongside the Minister for Health, Liz and many others in increasing funding for The Australian and New Zealand Children’s Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG).

Along with his advocacy work, Dustin has been involved in Connor’s Erg with the Euroa Gym, rallying the entire town of Euroa to get behind their awesome fundraising and awareness efforts – even appearing on the Today show.

Jacob Walker

In March 2014 Jacob Walker had surgery to remove a malignant Grade II astrocytoma glioma brain tumour. A mere six months later, he completed the 2014 New York City Marathon, raising money for brain cancer research. A few years later Jacob became a father to two gorgeous children.

After many years battling this awful disease, sadly Jacob passed away from brain cancer in December 2024, at just 39 years old.

Gideon Gratzer & Rebecca Goldstein

In May 2018, 8 year old Gideon Gratzer was diagnosed with an aggressive GBM tumour. Gideon’s treatment involved surgery, radiotherapy and targeted chemotherapy treatment. During this time, Gideon’s family were privileged to spend extraordinary quality time with him.  Gideon was a gorgeous, funny and gentle boy, devoted to his siblings and family. He loved going to school, loved all things cookie-monster related and entertained everyone with his quirky sense of humour and fantastic memory. In May 2019, almost 12 months after diagnosis, Gideon died at age 9.

Since 2019 Gideon’s family and friends have been participating in Connor’s Run, raising an enormous amount of funds and awareness for paediatric brain cancer.

Make a donation in Gideon’s name

Jean Mitchell

Jean was diagnosed with medulloblastoma brain cancer in 2016. At the time she was a keen rower and had competed at the Henley Royal Regatta a few months prior, after being undefeated in Australia (in the schoolgirl quad) for two years.

Jean was excited to see where her rowing career would take her. But she started experiencing throbbing in the back of her head, and slowly more symptoms emerged such as loss of balance, blurred vision, vomiting and extreme dizziness (so bad she could barely get out of bed). The diagnosis process took many month (and many different doctors) until an MRI discovered the tumour in the back of her brain. Naturally this was a major shock to Jean and her friends and family.

A few days after the diagnosis she underwent surgery, performed by neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner, where she was able to remove the entire tumour. The next steps of treatment included radiation and chemotherapy. Jean returned to rowing in the final stages of chemotherapy, but it soon became evident just how the treatment had taken a toll on her. Jean had to start from scratch to rebuild strength and fitness, that had once come so easily. It wasn’t until March 2020 when she finally got a PB on a 2km ergo test that she had set when she was 16.

In 2024, Jean fulfilled a lifelong dream by making her Olympic debut in Paris—a remarkable achievement that once seemed far beyond reach.

Jean continues to represent the RCD Foundation as a speaker, inspiring us all with her journey. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

The Brown Family

On the early hours of Sunday, 4th of September 2022, ‘Sweet’ Georgia Brown passed away after 5.5 years of living with brain cancer.

Georgia loved playing with her sisters, painting, cooking, swimming, dancing and gymnastics, and was a happy, outgoing little girl. Her parents, Rachelle and Nathan, along with her sisters Rosie, Whitney, and their newest addition, Zahli, think about Georgia every single day. They are determined to ensure that no other family has to endure the heartbreak they faced. Through their unwavering support of the RCD Foundation, they have rallied their community, raising significant funds and awareness through various events, including the Noosa Triathlon. Their dedication honours Georgia’s memory and fuels the fight against this cruel disease.

Make a donation in Georgia’s memory

Ken Fleming

Ken, his wife Dianne, and their sons were happily living their lives in beautiful Tasmania when their world fell apart in July 2016. Their son Jack was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumour, and they spent the next 22 months trying to reverse the irreversible. But sadly Jack died on 15th April 2018; he was just 21 years old.

Ken always thought when he retired he’d write a book. He never wanted to write it unless it had a happy ending, sadly this book did not, but he promised Jack he would do it. After three days of very painful reminisces and emotional depths only parents that have lost children can understand, a manuscript was created which Ken called ‘Jack’s story’.

Jack’s family have been working with doctors and medical researchers at NSW Health, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, to provide funding for brain cancer research in Jack’s name. Before Jack died, Ken, Jack and a few business partners established a whisky company and after Jack died it was decided to donate barrel #1 100 litres) to Ken to raise money for brain cancer research. Jack’s No. 1 whisky was created and tasted by the three icons of Australian whisky before it was bottled at 46% – Casey Overeem, Bill Lark (Lark Whisky) and Patrick Maguire (Sullivan’s Cove). It produced 220 (500ml) bottles.

Supported by Bill, Patrick, Casey, David Boon (ex-Australian Test Cricketer) and Dr Michael Buckland (Head of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney), and many more friends and associates, Ken raised $50,000 with more expected to be raised from an auction to be conducted by Langtons Fine Wines in April 2025.

Nic Cresp

In September 2018 at the age of 10, Nic was diagnosed with DIPG. With a bleed on his brain, and unable to biopsy nor operate, Nic was given steroids and endured six weeks of radiation at Peter Mac, which shrunk the tumour significantly.

Treated by Dr. Jordan Hansford and a team of specialists at the RCH, Nic underwent 12 months of treatment on an immunotherapy clinical trial following radiation. Now thriving, Nic is a strong young man with a passion for rowing and strength training. While he still enjoys gaming with his mates, maintaining his health remains his top priority.

Nic’s tumour is stable, and he is monitored twice yearly at the RCH. Nic has completed Connor’s Run since 2021.

Nic has aspirations to work alongside his heroes, and hopes to one day find a way to not only cure, but prevent brain cancer.

Olivia Jones

In 2011, at just five years of age, Olivia was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma in her brain and spinal cord. She underwent a laminectomy of the spine to remove as much of the tumour as possible, but due to the tumour being disseminated throughout her spine, much of it was too close to the spinal cord to remove safely. Olivia then underwent 12 months of chemotherapy, that held the tumour stable for four years, but unfortunately the spinal tumour started growing again in 2016. She underwent another 12 months of chemotherapy and things held steady for almost 5 years until August 2021 when it grew again, and very quickly she lost the use of her left leg.

Olivia is an absolute trooper throughout all her treatments and all of the obstacles that life throws her way. Even when the tumour stays stable, it impacts her daily life in many ways, causing problems such as concentration issues, learning delays, and many physical issues. Olivia’s interests include watching her beloved Hawks play footy, Star Wars, going to the cinema and baking treats.

Olivia came to know about our Foundation after her second relapse, when she was offered music therapy sessions to help her deal with the chemo and physiotherapy that she needed. She has always loved to sing, and she likes to say that “when she sings, all her problems just fly away!”.

Olivia participated in her first Connor’s Run in 2022, with her team Olivia’s Superheroes. Her team all wore superhero costumes, because she’s a huge Marvel fan. Olivia hopes many of her friends and family will join her in raising funds and awareness for children’s brain cancer.

Josh Erikson

Josh came into this world a battler. Born premature at 27 weeks, he suffered cardiac arrests and sadly lost his identical twin brother, Matthew within the first week. At five months old he was diagnosed with deafness and received his first hearing aids and cochlear implant at age five. In 2005 he was diagnosed with leukaemia, in which he underwent five years of treatment until remission, thanks to a bone marrow transplant from his older brother. When Josh was well enough, he attended Victorian College for the Deaf.

At 16 years old, Josh was shockingly diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) an aggressive form of brain cancer for which there is no cure. This came as a huge blow for Josh and his family, after everything he had already been through. During this time, Josh was able to participate in our music therapy program

Josh tragically lost his battle to brain cancer at just 18, passing in the early hours of Mother’s Day, 2019.

A huge Marvel fan, Josh also loved gaming and a variety of action packed TV shows. Nicknamed ‘Mr Braveheart’ for his sheer courage and incredible disposition. Josh will always be in our hearts.

Josh’s mum Donna, and all of his family and friends are doing all they can to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer, so no family or child has to go through what they have.

The Machingaifa Family

In July 2020, Milo was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of high grade glioma (a type of tumour formed in the brain or spinal cord, through the abnormal growth of glial cells). He underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and has remained tumour free since. Amazingly, he spent only 4 days in hospital after surgery and continued with schooling throughout treatment, with his first goal being to get back on his bike, which he did the day he was allowed to! Milo was part of the AIM Brain study funded by the RCD Foundation. Being part of this meant that genetic mutations in his tumour were discovered, which has provided additional treatment options should he need them.

Whilst treatment effects affect him daily, he continues to live life to the fullest every day and has huge dreams for the future.

The Machingaifa family (mum Francesca, dad Clarence and sisters Olive and Stella) heard about the RCD Foundation after Milo’s diagnosis and have been taking part in Connor’s Run annually since, with their team of amazing supporters, Milo’s Army. Milo loves coming together with friends and family to raise money for the RCD Foundation.

Hugh McLennan

At 7 years old, in August 2022, Hugh was diagnosed with a brain tumour. After major surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, he had to relearn to walk, talk, eat and write again. While his recovery has been long, he has continued to show unwavering determination to get back to living as normal as possible.

Even though he has disabilities caused by his tumour, this doesn’t stop him from making the most of every day. He is in scouts and loves the outdoors, he is an avid builder of Lego, and enjoys the challenge of maths. He is always finding ways to be involved in everything he loves, even when adjustments need to be made.

Hugh’s future looks promising. In his early days of recovery, he was granted music therapy through the RCD Foundation Music Matters program, and this was a highlight of that time in his life; while he was missing out on getting to be at school or playing with friends, he had his music therapy sessions to look forward to. Once he was feeling well enough, he wanted to find a way to give back. He ran his first fundraiser for RCD Foundation, selling bookmarks he created, and raised over $3000. He wants to see treatments for brain tumours improve, and hopes he can continue to run successful fundraisers for RCD Foundation that will help towards that goal.