JOIN OUR FIGHT AGAINST BLOOD CANCER
The Leukaemia Foundation invites participants of the BMA Mackay Marina Run to join Team Beat Blood Cancer and dedicate their run to help raise funds for people living with blood cancer.
With the incredible support of the Mackay Marina Run participants, over the past 17 years, we’ve contributed more than $731,990 to the Leukaemia Foundation helping to fund their vital wraparound health services and leading-edge blood cancer research.
In Australia, 53 people are diagnosed with blood cancer (including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma) every day and this number is anticipated to close to double by 2035. Blood cancer cannot be prevented or screened for, and it can strike anyone, at any time and at any age.
Blood cancer is a difficult and dangerous opponent and one of the greatest health and social challenges we face. It weighs heaviest on disadvantaged Australians and those living outside of our cities, including Mackay.
We are committed to working side by side with the Leukaemia Foundation and Australia’s blood cancer community to ensure that anyone impacted by blood cancer today has the support they need and to reach the goal of ensuring zero lives are lost to blood cancer by 2035.
As a run participant or team, you’re invited to join Team Blood Cancer and dedicate your run to raise funds for people living with blood cancer. You can set up your own fundraising page or donate via our page below.
My name is Dorothy Oates and I’m a retired nurse. I worked in a palliative care ward for 17years caring mainly for patients with cancer. About 2 years after retiring, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma which came as a huge shock as I’d considered myself a very fit and active person at the time.
Since my diagnosis I have had 6 months of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. This was a very difficult time not only for me but also for my family and friends. At a time like this you need as much support as you can get, and I was overwhelmed at the wonderful support I received.
When I had my transplant, we had to go to Townsville for 5 weeks and my husband came with me. I also had help from my daughter and two of my granddaughters who took time off work to be there for my husband and myself. While in Townsville we were given accommodation in the Queensland Freemasons Blood Cancer Centre. We couldn’t have asked for better. It was only a short stroll to the hospital, although there were a few times when I required transport. The units were two bedrooms which made it easy for my support team to stay with us.
Hopefully I’m now on my way to a much better future thanks to the treatment I receive from the wonderful team of doctors and nurse etc. I’m looking forward to getting back to my Saturday morning Park Runs.
Going to Park Run is the highlight of my week and although I wasn’t able to attend every week during my treatment, I finally notched up my 250 milestone in September.
I’ve been able to resume my handcrafts such as knitting, crocheting and mosaicking and am part of a craft and a mosaic group.
I’m so proud to be asked to be the fundraising ambassador for this year’s Mackay Marina Run. Last year, while receiving chemotherapy I was able to complete the 5k run coming home first in my age group.
It’s a wonderful event and I would urge everyone to join in and have a go. Not only is it a lot of fun but it helps raise vital money for the Leukaemia Foundation to be able to continue their work.