Category: Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

A day for our Father’s & significant others

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Father’s Day is a day when we turn our thoughts to our dads, and those who fill that role for many.  A day that can bring with it many mixed emotions.

It is also a time we pause to remember those who no longer have their child to walk beside them, and those who no longer have their dad to hold their hand. Each of you holds a special place in our hearts.

We wish each of you love, peace of mind, and a special day, no matter what shape that might take?

A day to reflect upon beautiful memories from the past, and a chance to make many more.

#missingyoucoops
#fathersday2022

When words are not enough to thank you…

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When a child/ adolescent receives a cancer diagnosis, their world changes in the blink of an eye.  Often forced to grow up quickly, contemplate their mortality, & endure great emotional angst together with unimaginable pain and suffering.  They watch as their friends continue to live the life they place on hold.

Random acts of kindness make the world go round for young people living with a cancer diagnosis.

We have the greatest privilege of working with the best ambassadors (and human beings) many of which were Coop’s friends.

This week was a truly special one & while these people work quietly behind the scenes, & without fanfare, there comes a time when words need to be found to say thank you.

Yesterday CRBF ambassador & a man with an enormous heart @wippa1 and the  wonderful @camillawithlove together with Camilla’s remarkable team, Alexia and Brooke joined forces to make the day of a little girl, valiantly fighting osteosarcoma for 4 years.  Her challenges & her courage in facing these challenges literally defy words.

Without cameras, media, & with more love than you could ever begin to imagine, a little girl’s dreams came true.

Wippa & Camilla joined forces in 2021 on the celebrity challenge team that raised $183,000 for paediatric sarcoma research at the @childrenscancerinstitute on @celebrityapprentice , through the Wipfli Family Sarcoma Research Fund.

In another part of the world new grandfather and all round good guy @paulroos1 was busy working on making another dream come true for a young @sydneyswans supporter.  Despite his willingness to do what he can for young sarcoma patients, getting the Swannies into the GF may just push the envelope.

Finally the amazing @billysmith___ @art_stanley_ , @thesilverfox68 , Dan & Lisa Miller, @amyparmenterr , Em Rothfield, Yael Bradbury, the team @accorstadium , @allianzstadium & @mcc_members ,  working so hard on very big projects to deliver joy to our beneficiaries over coming weeks.

Weeks like the one past, take a village.  How do we ever thank each of you?

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

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Cancer claims the life of three children/adolescents each week in Australia while 66% of survivors suffer severe long term effects.

The Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia reports there are more than 1000 new diagnoses of child and adolescent cancer in Australia each year.  Up to 20% of those children and 10% of the total adolescent numbers  will receive a sarcoma diagnosis.

The AIHW once again predicts in 2022,  bone and soft tissue sarcomas combined will be the leading cause of cancer related death in the 10-24 year age group.

Hope lies in research.  Australia is home to a collective of brilliant scientific minds, who continue to work toward cure.

Funding the work of these remarkable individuals is central to advancing all childhood cancers, and in particular, those like sarcoma, that have not shown the progress other childhood cancers have over past decades.

“The future we want to see is that all children, adolescents and young adults with sarcoma have access to their own novel combination drug therapies – chosen to match individual genetic and drug testing of their tumour tissue.”  Prof Glenn Marshall, Head of Translational Research at Children’s Cancer Institute

It is a matter of when –  not if…

International Dog Day – research for sarcoma

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Because it’s International Dog Day, we pay homage to the work our canine friends are doing in the name of research for sarcoma.

This research is taking place worldwide, with special emphasis on WA, where our colleagues @sockittosarcoma are funding innovative research which is another step closer to finding the answers to cure.

Just around the corner is our long awaited range of bandanas for dogs, which will be a fun way of highlighting a very serious topic –  Scarves 4 Sarcoma – Bone & Soft Tissue Cancer.

Over the coming weeks some very well known Australian media identities, sports stars, and musicians to name a few, will lend their celebrity status to this campaign, and team with their dogs, and most importantly, some of those living with sarcoma,  to promote awareness nationally.  Sarcoma awareness is a 365 day a year.

They say never to work with dogs or children… And today we learned why?   Betty, CRBF’s very own bulldog is very comfortable working with patients and families.  Today she frocked up to front our new campaign. The diva emerged and the shoot was all but abandoned until the food came out….

Betty joins @banjo1538 who by the way the complete gentleman.

 

 

Meet Lisa Greissl – Founder The Big Hug Box

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Lisa Greissl is Founder of Newcastle based “The Big Hug Box”

Lisa’s remarkable body of work came to the attention of all at CRBF in early 2018, after she reached out to us, and a meeting followed during one of the trips she does regularly to Sydney, to deliver the boxes of joy, that have lifted the spirits of all who received them for many years.

We came to know Lisa as a very special young woman, who despite her own experience with cancer, spends every day brightening the lives of those now walking this road behind her.  She is a true force of nature.

After experiencing a her own rare cancer diagnosis in 2015, Lisa advocates for patient wellbeing, health and support and acknowledges the importance of the little acts of kindness that play a significant part in contributing to patient wellbeing which contributed to The Big Hug Box being born.

The Big Hug Box sets out to make the journey of those living with a cancer diagnosis, a little more bearable. Filled with products that are sourced from small business in Newcastle wherever possible, Lisa chooses natural and organic products.  Lisa and her team also encourage random acts of kindness amongst the community by encouraging people to purchase a RHoK Box (Random Hug of Kindness Box) whereby members of the community can by a box that will be delivered and given out randomly to patients at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where Lisa was treated.

The team at The Big Hug Box  have raised over $36,000 for cancer research in Australia.

“I am so proud of what The Big Hug Box has achieved and continues to achieve. We have built an incredibly supportive community around us who value the importance of kindness and are aligned with our values and our purpose. Together we will make a positive impact on the lives affected by cancer with a Big Hug and supporting cancer support services and organisations with profits from every sale” Lisa Greissl.Go to https://thebighugbox.com/ to bring joy to the life of someone you know who may be in need of a Big Hug.

Can you help the Stockman family?

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Meet Jordan Stockman @J_o_r_d_a_n__x .  A successful fashion model, a commanding presence on social media & one of the most positive, likeable young men you could ever hope to meet. 11 months ago, Jordan was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma, and has undergone intensive treatment. Side effects have been savage, and his remarkable family have been by his side throughout – mum, dad, & five siblings.

This devastating story continues. Jordan’s mum Ahuaiti, became Jordan’s carer after his diagnosis, ceasing full time work to devote time to her son, and as described by Jordan, she is the centre of his universe. Jordan’s remarkable dad, Darrin, became the sole breadwinner for the family.

In a tragic turn of events, 5 weeks after Jordan’s diagnosis, Ahuaiti was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, leaving this beautiful family of 8 shattered. The months that followed have been equally devastating. They have lost their family home and are forced to live with friends until accommodation can be found.

What this family has endured over the past year is unimaginable, yet from the outside looking in, you would never know. They continue to keep a positive outlook, find strength within the love they have for each other, & are continuously thinking of others.  When Jordan was asked what would make life a little easier, he simply said he “wanted to increase awareness of sarcoma”.

As we enter our third week of #sarcomaawarenessmonth, those like Jordan remain the human face of this insidious cancer. The entire Stockman family, and their immense suffering over the last 11 months, are a reminder of the utter destruction this cancer causes.

A huge shout out to the stellar clinical team at the PA Hospital Brisbane for their support of this remarkable family.

We’ve never doubted the generosity of our loyal community, so if you can contribute to the family’s GoFundMe, we STRONGLY encourage you to do so. If you do one good deed for the day, the month, or the year, make it a donation to this cause. This is a family in dire need.

A LIST OF COMMON SYMPTOMS APPEARS ON OUR WEBSITE.  IF IN DOUBT PLEASE REFER TO A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.

Poor Man’s Everest racing for patient support

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Lachie Mactier, Hunter Hordern and Angus Joyce are just the type of mates you need around you when your world falls apart. Just ask CRBF’s Patient Advocate, Jack Gibson. Jack was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2017, and there has never been one moment he has felt the need to walk what can be a very lonely road, alone.

Jack has a remarkable family, but he is also blessed with a remarkable friendship group that blossomed at school, and continued throughout Uni to today.

Several months ago, the boys, under the alias @poor_mans_everest contacted CRBF with a proposal to complete 2 events. Jack, Hunter, and Angus will form a relay team and compete in the Noosa Triathlon in October. Not to be outdone, Lachie will be running in the @blackmoresaustralia marathon.

They are kicking their campaign off in global Sarcoma Awareness Month, and will not only be raising funds for the support of sarcoma patients and their families in Australia, but they will also be spreading awareness from today when their campaign launches, and throughout the coming months.

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lachie, Angus and Hunter for being there for Jack, but for their endless commitment to improving resources for sarcoma patients and their contribution over many years to clinical research.

Give the boys a follow on instagram at @poor_mans_everest and watch them as they train and work towards these huge events!