A couple of months back we introduced you to The Kids’ Cancer Project, an independent charity dedicated to helping kids with cancer through research.
TKCP have managed to touch many lives since their inception, but one special Mum is giving back to the charity that supported her through her family’s journey.
Tracey Henderson’s eldest son Kurt was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at 9 months old and the tumor was removed at 2 years old, but he relapsed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
“It was during our time at the The Childrens Hospital Camperdown that we met Col Reynolds back then as our coach driver to many social events with the Oncology Unit. I remember our first trip of many with Col was to Disney on Ice.
“These trips were exactly what my son needed as a distraction from hospital life and the chance to go out socially with other children.
“Col was a friend to all of the kids and was always genuinely interested in their day and putting a smile on their face. He always put them first.”
“My son’s oncologist Dr Dalla Pozza would tell me a lot about Col’s work and the dream they shared to finding a cure for all childhood cancers. I remember him saying to me one day that he would love to be out of a job.
“After extensive and intensive chemotherapy and full body radiotherapy, Kurt had an autologous bone marrow transplant. However, not long after that he became very ill and spent 3 weeks on life support in ICU.
“At this time the entire hospital, apart from a very few, had packed up and literally moved to the New Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Kurt passed away in ICU 5 days after his 4th birthday. He was the very last patient at The Children’s Hospital at Camperdown.”
TKCP graced Tracey’s life and she is so appreciative of the work they do.
“Knowing that there is a dedicated team doing everything they can to rid the horrendous childhood cancers gives me hope that one day there will be no such thing as a child living with cancer.”
Tracey found out about the Bowral Classic event after one of her regular visits to the organisation’s web page where she checks in to see the latest medical and research news and family stories.
She said raising awareness of childhood cancers and how they are different is a main factor behind her fundraising, but without the charitable support of the community, the research and development of new treatments that could change a child’s prognosis and quality of life can’t happen.
Tracey speaks highly of the Bowral Classic fundraising initiative, “It’s great to know that the people you are with share a similar experience, someone who knows what it’s like.
“It’s also a great community awareness event as well as a fun family activity.
“On the day of the Bowral Classic this year, October 23, will be Kurt’s 25th birthday, so to celebrate my beautiful son’s life, my youngest son and I will be riding for him and all the little friends Kurt made along the way.”
To support Tracey Henderson raise much needed funds for TKCP, head over the Charity page on the Bowral Classic website here, and to read more about TKCP visit the previous article here.
