Category: CRBFNews

With a month to go, the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation City to Surf team will once more spill onto William St, making their way onto New South Head Road, on the 14 km road to ‘Cure Sarcoma’.  

Register before 24th July and receive a $10 discount! It’s a two step process:

1. Register for the City2Surf 2019

Register for City2Surf 2019 at https://city2surf.com.au/

• Join the TEAM “Coops Sprint for Sarcoma” as you register
• Do NOT select a charity partner as you register for the event

2. Create a Fund-Raiser Page to Raise Funds for Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

Go to https://city2surf2019.everydayhero.com/au/get-started

1. Enter Your Page Title
2. From the list of Charities select “Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation” – VERY IMPORTANT!!!
3. Enter the remainder of details for the page
4. Create Your Page
5. Once page created select button on right to “Join an existing team”
6. Search for Coops Sprint for Sarcoma
7. Select “Join this Team”

Share your page with all friends and family through social media and email, and ask them to help us continue Cooper’s legacy to raise money for sarcoma research!

Imogen Atkins

After going through 8 months of chemo, and a 5 hour life and limb saving surgery it is amazing to be able to be back doing more normal things.  I still face regular check ups, and have only recently finished tougher rehabilitation, but in no way have, or will I, let that stop me from trying to do and achieve what I really want.

Let’s start with school and Uni. I successfully completed my final year of school with a highly sought after OP 8, despite many people suggesting I, a) repeat year 11, and b) to go down the path of getting a Rank instead. This year I am starting my Bachelor of Wildlife Science and hope to end up in conservation work. I have experienced a lot of times when I really had to push for what I wanted, and I’ve learned that if I know I can achieve something, I should push and achieve it.

Prior to the cancer, I was a very avid rower.  It was truly heartbreaking and difficult when I was told I might not be able to row again, but being the persistent and slightly stubborn person I am, I refused to take that as a never.  As soon as I was able to, I worked at regaining my strength and bend in my knee.  So, in my final year of school I once again competed in the BSRA competition as part of a crew who came first at the Head of the River Regatta. But it is honestly just amazing to be back on the water.  Despite the cold mornings of training, being on the water is one of the most important things to me, and brings me so much joy.

I have also found out that I like having a voice.  I am now part of the Queensland Youth Cancer Advisory Group.  In this group I, and several others, advise Queensland Youth Cancer Service on health service planning, delivery, evaluation education and training, together with developing spaces and facilities for young patients and their families.  We talk and discuss with people who are looking to improve their services.  I am basically a voice trying to make another young person’s cancer journey or experience, just that little bit better, and a little bit easier.  I feel this is really good and important.

After my cancer experience, I realised that I have to step into life, find ways of doing things, and never give up on my dreams.  I can no longer ski, so I learnt and continue to learn how to snowboard, and even when on my Year 12 Snowy trip in September 2018. 

I have done a range of things both in my normal life and my cancer life. Normal: I travelled to London and Finland with my family, I was a Bridesmaid at my sister’s wedding, and I became a Volunteer at Australia Zoo. Cancer: I presented at and sat on a panel of people at a Medical Conference. I have attended Bissy4Ward and Warf4Ward hosted Sony You Can Foundation.

But I’ve also lost two friends to Sarcoma and everyday I’m concerned I’ll lose another so in my life of remission I fight not just for myself but for them. I hope to be in that too small percent that survive so that I can live not just for myself but for them.

That is why I am now an Ambassador of the CRBF and hope that I can help find a way and be voice to make those percentages bigger.

Charlii Croese

I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left femur on 29th of February 2016 I was 16 years old. For two months, I was misdiagnosed, I was firstly told I had a torn hamstring then I was told I had torn my ACL. Finally, after two months of horrific pain I finally received the scans we had been asking for. I was walking on a completely broken femur for two months and not even realising.

Being told you have cancer at the age of 16 is an absolute nightmare sitting in the doctor’s room and to hear those words shattered my heart into a million pieces my world was taken from me within a blink of an eye. At the age of 16 you’re just going into year 11 working out if you want to go to university and what you want to do for the rest of your life. Well not for kids like cooper and I for us it was being in a room with chemotherapy running feeling sick struggling to keep any food or drink down barely being able to have a shower and go to the toilets on certain days.

Crying in your bed just wishing for the pain and sickness you feel in your stomach for days on end to just go away. And on your good days spending it in your bed just watching television and enjoying not staring at those same 4 walls in your hospital room and having the company of your family and pets around.

Throughout my journey I struggled with seeing everyone around me move on with their life and mine just stood still. I wasn’t normal compared to all my friends. I lost many other cancer patients that I met throughout my journey and I felt so guilty to still be here without them. They became my family we understood what each other were going through. Many of my friends couldn’t deal with me being sick so they stopped speaking to me and would ignore me. I never held a grudge everyone deals with an illness in different ways. 

I just started to focus on myself and my health. My health was the most important thing while going through treatment. My family and my best friend were my rock I have the most amazing positive support group I’m so blessed to have such an amazing group of people whom support me.

Still ’til this day whenever I get any ache or pain in my body I always think the worst. Each day I always have a moment during the day that I think about my journey I still struggle everyday with what I’ve been through and how many people I’ve lost. Every day I just tell myself I’m a fighter and to be positive and take every day as it comes. Mum always said to me every day while I was battling cancer take it one day at a time and till this day it is exactly what I do.

Now two years in remission my life couldn’t be more amazing I just live each moment like it’s the last. The past 6 months we had some ups and downs my oncologist thought my cancer had come back and to hear it hadn’t was music to my ears I pray every day my cancer never comes back in the future. 

I’m completely over the moon, I’ve had the honour to become an ambassador of the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation to be asked has made my heart so full I feel so privileged to be a part of such an amazing foundation there is nothing else I would rather do.

It’s time to raise awareness for Sarcoma we can do it together we can save someone else’s life and we will.

Hi everyone

We hope each of you had a lovely Festive Season, and the coming New Year is a healthy, happy and safe one for you and for your family.

With 22 January fast approaching, we want to remind you tickets are selling fast to the CRBF T20 Birthday Bash, with gates opening at 2 pm.  The tickets have remained at $20 per person which includes barbecue and entry.  Food and beverages will be on sale throughout in strict accordance with RSA guidelines.  All persons purchasing alcohol must be 18 years or over, and provide identification if required.

Entry is by pre purchased tickets.  Go to TryBooking

https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=458934

Funds raised in 2018

CRBF directors and our Medical Advisory Board unanimously voted to reinvest the funds raised by our hosted events, together with the extreme generosity of our major individual donors. At present we are in a consultative phase with research specialists, and leaders in the field of sarcoma, to establish where this significant amount of funding should be directed.  As was Cooper’s vision, all funding will be directed to where it will have the most impetus – to positively change survival outcomes for sarcoma patients.

Farewell to our Chairman

When Jeremy Sutcliffe joined us as Chairman in 2018, we were aware his tenure would come to an end in 2019, due to his planned relocation to Europe for the year with his family.

Jeremy has provided a very strong start to our aims to positively change survival outcomes and treatment options for sarcoma patients.  Through his wealth of expertise in the boardroom, as both an ASX 100 company chairman and as a seasoned company director.  His strong passion for cause and personal experience with this cancer, has contributed to the

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jeremy for his belief in the work we are undertaking, and for the personal and professional qualities he brought to the role of Chairman.

We wish Jeremy and Catherine a safe, happy and healthy time overseas, making wonderful memories with their family.

Welcome to our new Chairman

CRBF would like to extend a very warm welcome to Justice Robert Beech-Jones, who will succeed Jeremy Sutcliffe, as our Chairman, effective immediately.

Robert brings a wealth of diverse experience to the role with proven leadership ability, experience at Board level and more significantly, in the not for profit sector,  together with his very strong personal passion for cause, which is driven by his long association with Cooper through junior AFL.

To read more about Robert’s distinguished career, please visit our Board page at www.crbf.org.au.

Below an overview of CRBF’s first eleven months as a registered Australian charity, to provide you with a summary of what we have achieved to date, and our direction heading into 2019: 

ACNC Registration

On Cooper’s birthday, January 22, 2018, our application for ACNC registration, and DGR status was approved, and the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation became a registered Australian charity.  This was bittersweet, as it was Cooper’s long-held aim to gain independence as a charitable entity, and was therefore tinged with immense sadness when he was unable to see it come into fruition.

 Inaugural T20 Birthday Bash

Cooper’s long-time friend, and representative team mate, Will Todd, incepted the idea to host a cricket match on Cooper’s birthday, 2018, to pay homage to Cooper’s passion for cricket, and enabling the players, all from his days of school and representative cricket, commemorate the day while reliving memories from the past decade.

While the event was not designed as a fundraiser, sarcoma research benefitted from the  $5000 it generated on the day, with special thanks to the Todd family, the players and volunteers who gave up their day,  to Australian cricketer Nathan Lyon for his time and effort together with his manager, Peter Lovitt from the Drive Avenue Group, and to our partners, Costume Box, Coopers, Ties and Cuffs and Easts Cricket Club. The match was a huge success with the CRBF 1^st X1 narrowly taking victory over the CRBF All Stars.   22 January, 2019 will see the second match played at Trumper Park.Oval, starting at 3 pm. A strictly limited number of tickets available at TryBooking – or by pressing the link below:

Mother’s Day Breakfast  

Hosted by the dynamic Mia Freedman, this event was held on Friday 11 May, 2018, at Zest Waterside Venues, RMYC Point Piper.  The breakfast was an outstanding success, raising in excess of $30,000 for clinical research for sarcoma.    Due to its popularity, the event will be conducted once again in 2019.  Our sincere thanks to major partners Glasshouse Fragrances, Dior, Zest Waterside Venues and Taylors Wines.

Robert Hao Piano Recital

Rob Hao very kindly dedicated his farewell performance to the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation, prior to leaving to study an undergraduate Bachelor of Music, at the Royal College of Music in London.  Rob kept the audience spellbound with works from Chopin, Bach and Alban Berg, finishing with an early Beethoven sonata.  His immense talent and passion for music raised over $2000 to provide hope for young sarcoma patients, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Rob for his kindness and generosity.

City To Surf

The Foundation’s first City to Surf proved to be highly successful both from an awareness and fundraising perspective.  Thanks to the efforts of radio hosts Fitzy and Wippa together with NOVA 96.9, our campaign reached a national audience, and the CRBF team raised $20,000 as a result.  The event also saw the release of our Stamp out Sarcoma merchandise, and caps, socks together with the “Run for Coops” t-shirts saw our team stand out for all the right reasons during the race.  Our thanks go to Fitzy and Wippa, Nova FM, and Upcycle studio for their part in ensuring the campaign was an enormous success, together with the generosity of our sponsors.

Autore Pearls – “The Cooper”

Autore Pearls are synonymous with quality, and exquisite design, with their designs worn by Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Selena Gomez, to name but a few.

The Cooper has been designed by AUTORE Design Director, Jane Autore, to embody the spirit, and the life of our precious son, whilst generating funding for critical clinical research by donating 10% of each sale directly to CRBF.

This is a unisex piece, with a magnificent Italian leather plaited band, an exquisite South Sea pearl, customised clasp with the CRBF logo, and a small garnet detail to signify Coops love of cricket.  The bracelet is available in a double and single strand.

Our heartfelt gratitude to the Autore family, for creating this spectacular piece, and for their support of the work of CRBF.

SGS Trivia Evening

2017 saw the inaugural Sydney Grammar School trivia evening, with proceeds directed to CRBF.  This was incepted by Senior Housemaster Mr Jason Slater, and supported by the form v1 boys.   Sadly, Cooper was too unwell to attend, however was so very touched by the sentiment, as he would have been this year when the second trivia event was held, returning $1600 to clinical research into sarcoma.

Our sincere thanks to Mr Slater, together with Headmaster, Dr Richard Malpass, Masters and students for contributing to the success of this event.

Legends of League Chairman’s Dinner

The 11^th September saw CRBF chairman, Jeremy Sutcliffe, host the Legends of League dinner, NRL Museum, NRL HQ.  The league legends including Braith Anasta, Brad Fittler, Steve Blocker Roach, Wayne Pearce, Daly Cherry-Evans, Anthony Minichiello, Steve Edge and Michael Ennis dined with invited guests and share highly entertaining stories of their illustrious playing careers.

The evening was a resounding success returning $37,000 for clinical research into sarcoma, and our heartfelt thanks goes to the NRL commission, Todd Greenberg, Peter Beattie, Rachel Kramer and the NRL staff, together with host Anthony Maroon, and partners for the event, Serena Sanderson Catering and Dianna Jaber, director of Take Me, designer tableware.

The Griffith region NSW community fundraiser – Tayla Zandona

Tayla Zandona is a remarkable young woman who knows the heartache of sarcoma first hand, losing her big brother Kyle to this cancer on Christmas Day, 2016.

Despite the grief that never subsides, Tayla staged simultaneous events in the Griffith/Yenda region, to raise in excess of $4000 in an effort to ensure no other family ever go through the heartache she and her family live with daily.  We will be working closely with Tayla this year in support of a very large event in this region.  Having lost five members of the local community to sarcoma, this region is very committed to assisting the funding of sarcoma research, and we look very forward to working with this extremely generous group of individuals over the coming months.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tayla for her generosity of spirit.  No-one can truly begin to understand the devastation of this cancer until you have witnessed a loved one fight so hard to conquer it – making her efforts truly inspiring.

Thank you

We would like to thank each of you, our donors, supporters, volunteers, directors and our executive committee members for the tireless work and support we have received throughout our first year as a registered charity.

Special thanks to the following donors for their outstanding support.

Friends were so very important to Cooper. They were the very essence of who he was. This was never more evident than throughout his valiant battle with osteosarcoma.

Cooper was never comfortable with his friends seeing him unwell, he did not want to make them uneasy or scare them unnecessarily, so rarely did he allow them to join him at the hospital. Instead he would save their get togethers for when he was discharged, and they could have some fun together, without the stark reminders of that dark cloud that followed him throughout his illness.

Coops friends represented normalcy. They were his escape back in time when things were so much simpler, and they never let him down.

This group of friends who manifest from The Scots College, and Sydney Grammar School provided Cooper with a lifeline during the really difficult times. They were always up for a game of footy at the park or have a hit of cricket on the good days, and on the bad days, they would be the first to rally around him, whether that was a visit to do not very much at all but to let him know they cared, or something equally as simple as a Facebook message or SMS when he was confined to bed, which never failed to lift his spirits.

We never underestimate the pain these wonderful young men must feel on occasion, since Cooper is no longer in their lives, and yet each of them in their own way, has continued to support our family and the Foundation that bears Coops name, and we are so grateful to each of them for doing so. This road we travel is unchartered territory, and we must never take anything for granted, so to maintain contact with each of these young men who were so important to Coop, is more than we could have ever hoped for.

We are so very proud to announce these outstanding young men as Ambassadors for the Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation, and can only imagine how proud Cooper would have been of this very important and significant development.

To Gus, Warwick, Joe, Max, Xavier, George, Alexander, Matthew, Adam, Lachie and Sam -words cannot express our gratitude to each of you for the wonderful memories you provided Coop and our family over the years, and the joy you brought to his very brief life.

We are honoured to have each of you join the Foundation to play such an important role in ensuring Cooper’s legacy lives on.

• Max Bonic

  
• Joe Bonic

  
• Sam Isherwood

  
• Matt Jones

  
• Lachie Kiel

  
• Alexander Magiros

  
• Gus McGrath

  
• Adam Pacey

  
• Xavier Roche

  
• Warwick Ward

  
• George Foley

  

Max Bonic

When I moved to Sydney for the start of year 6, Cooper, also new to the school, was a massive influence in making that transition seamless. It was Cooper and his family who took my brother and me to watch an AFL game for the first time, a sport I had never seen before and it was Cooper who later encouraged me to give the sport a try for myself. It was from these foundations that our friendship was built.

Learning about Cooper’s diagnosis was obviously a shock and a very sad moment, but it wasn’t something I understood the realities of very well. My initial mindset was always one of optimism, that this would be a great challenge but one Cooper would come away from. I think this was largely the attitude Cooper adopted as well. One of the things I most admired about Cooper was his resilience and refusal to ever complain. He much preferred to keep himself busy and enjoy spending time with his mates than feel sorry for himself, which is something that definitely rubbed off on the people close to him.

When Tania asked if I would be interested in being an ambassador for the foundation, it was an easy decision. The work that the foundation has done so far in raising awareness and funding research into Sarcoma is astonishing. Cooper gave me so much through my friendship with him, so I leapt at the chance to help in any way I could. I am immensely proud to represent to foundation and I hope we can continue the great work that has already been done.

Max Bonic

Joe Bonic

As the only other new student in my class when I first moved to Australia as a 10 year-old, Cooper was the first friend I made. This friendship was hardened on the sporting field, a place where Cooper, myself, and all our friends were happiest. This never changed, and, as it was when we started high school, we neared the finish by spending our time throwing the footy around at the park.

Cooper was persistent during our last year together. Even when the treatment and the cancer did their worst to his body, his sense of humour and his spirit were as strong as ever. No matter how low I’m sure he felt, he would never let on to his friends for fear that we would treat him any differently to how we always had.

I had never heard of Sarcoma when Cooper was diagnosed, and that’s a crying shame because I know that it means that so many others will also have never heard of it until it affects someone they love. That’s why the awareness and research that Cooper and the Foundation are helping is so important, and to support that in any way is a real honour. The work that Tania, Colin, Mitch and everyone involved in the Foundation has done is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the wonderful work that can be done in the future.

Sam Isherwood

Matt Jones

I first met Cooper when he joined Scots and instantly became extremely good friends. We shared a passion for sport wether it was playing it, watching it or discussing it.

I played with and against Coops in multiple sports Cricket, Rugby and Aussie Rules to name a few, he was such an exceptional athlete which meant it was a lot better to play with him rather than against him. When ever I was around cooper I could guarantee that I could have an uncontrollable laughing fit, he was the funniest person I’ve ever met and that never changed.

When Cooper moved to grammar I was fearful that our friendship would grow distant but thankfully it never did. When Cooper got sick he never complained not once, he was so inspirational the whole way through and showed endless amounts of courage and perseverance. Coops really is a role model, he is an inspiration to me and I am sure to everyone around him.

I am very proud to be an Ambassador for Cooper because he was such a good person and a good friend.

Lachie Kiel

Alexander Magiros

Cooper was one of my closest mates at SGS. It feels like not long ago that we were messing about in our year 10 humanities class.

My fondest memory was kicking around an AFL ball on Birchgrove oval only to be pleasantly interrupted by Tania making sure that we had been well fed.

Throughout Coops’ first year of treatment, he lived as if nothing had changed. He remained the humorous,

enthusiastic and outgoing person that I know. Although he never spoke of his suffering or his Foundation, the work he had put into it was indescribable. His courage in the face of adversity is what was most inspiring.

I am proud to be an ambassador in honour of Cooper’s legacy which he worked so tirelessly to establish.

It is so important to educate our society of such a rare cancer as doctors at Lifehouse are seeing 3-4 new cases a week. I’m eager to help the Foundation progress in any way that I can.

Alexander Magiros

Gus McGrath

My mate Cooper has had a big influence on my life. I want to keep it this way, forever.

We played sport which we both loved, mainly cricket and footy, we laughed, we played Poker, and we had fun. Coop never left our Scots group and even in his years and time at Grammar we stayed best mates.

When Coop got sick he never complained.  At first, I didn’t understand what was happening and Coop didn’t want to explain it. I respected that.

My Dad had been sick with Leukaemia when I was young so I knew that Cancer would change things. It didn’t change Cooper. He wanted to be part of everything as it had always been. So we played cricket, we played footy, we played cards, and I sat with him in the hospital when he was having treatment or recovering from it.

Coop was so brave. I wanted to tell him all the time because he was trying so hard to be normal and I wanted to help him. Sometimes in the silent moments nothing needed to be said, only that I would stand by him whatever it took.

When Tania asked if I would be an Ambassador for Cooper, I didn’t really understand what that would mean or what I can add. However, if I can honour Coops courage, his determination, and represent him when asked, I would do my best. Coop is not a memory for me, he is here every day and always will be.

Gus McGrath, September 2018.

Adam Pacey

My relationship with Cooper began in our first year of school at Sydney Grammar. Sharing a liking of sport, our friendship soon blossomed in the coming years.

Our friendship was forged in our early years of high school which involved an endless pursuit of evading all school work and figuring out ways to avoid our next detention or homework submission.

But it was when he was presented with his life changing diagnosis that Cooper’s great character became even more apparent. A memory that I treasure was when Coops returned to cricket at Weigall against St Joseph’s College. After months of chemo and an intensive surgery, Cooper managed to train and play cricket at 1stXI standard. Cooper was unlike any person I’ve ever known. In the face of immense hardship, he always remained true to his character and maintained his sense of humour.

I am proud to be an ambassador for the Cooper Rice Brading Foundation, a cause that one of my best mates worked tirelessly to promote at the hardest point of his life, in the hope to save further lives.

Xavier Roche

My lasting memories of the friendship I shared with Cooper are of his unique sense of humour, our shared love of sport and competition and the courage he displayed throughout his illness. His personality and strength of character remain influential in my life and are never far from my thoughts.

The enduring impact of Cooper’s life on his friends remains immediately apparent in our Scots friendship group, through both consistent references to hilarious and unforgettable moments we had with Cooper and the decisions and actions each of us make, for which Cooper’s bravery and determination will always provide guidance.

In my 18 years I have known several family members and friends, in addition to Cooper, who have been diagnosed with cancer. Whilst the therapies they have undergone have often been brutal and challenging, thankfully with research and funding there are increasingly successful treatment protocols for many cancers and I have been able to see these family members and friends recover and thrive.

At the time of Cooper’s diagnosis I assumed that this would be the case for him too. I did not realise the aggressive nature of Sarcoma, nor the limited options for successful treatment and survival.

It is with this in mind that I am eager to be involved with the Foundation to assist in any way I can with lobbying for funding and research into Sarcoma.

Xavier Roche

 

 

Warwick Ward

“My earliest memories of Cooper are from Year 6 at the Scot’s College. With a mutual passion for sport and an identical sense of humour, we were destined to become really good mates. Funnily enough, it wasn’t until he had left Scots and moved to Grammar that we became so close.

Cooper’s cancer diagnosis was a really confronting experience. One of my biggest concerns was whether Cooper would be able to continue playing sport because he loved it so much. However, Cooper didn’t let his condition stop him, he continued to persevere, insisting he was the best sportsman despite playing one handed. Cooper’s sporting efforts are a testament to his perseverance and resilience.

Cooper rarely discussed his cancer because he didn’t want it to impact those around him. He was so brave and selfless, a true role model. No matter how tough things seemed to be I always believed he was going to be okay because he was so positive and motivated.

I am very proud to be an Ambassador for Cooper because I want others to be inspired by his perseverance and courage, just like I am. While I’m not too sure what being an ambassador entails, I feel very safe in Tania’s hands.”

George Foley

My friendship with Cooper was one of real mateship.

Sharing a love for sport, we would waste hours endlessly arguing over things like whether Buddy was a good signing for the swans, is Smith or Slater better in their prime, and where the Aussie cricket teams inconsistency comes from.

A natural connection came and we clicked from the early years of high school. Always laughing and smiling, our friendship meant more to myself than Cooper ever knew.

Getting involved with CRBF seemed a no brainer to me once Coops told me about it. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with the foundation, beginning with the year 12 trivia night fundraiser in early 2017.

I look forward to continuing my ongoing support of the CRBF and becoming more involved in the Foundation’s fantastic efforts to beat Sarcoma as an ambassador.

• Warwick Ward

  
• George Foley

  

Warwick Ward

“My earliest memories of Cooper are from Year 6 at the Scot’s College. With a mutual passion for sport and an identical sense of humour, we were destined to become really good mates. Funnily enough, it wasn’t until he had left Scots and moved to Grammar that we became so close.

Cooper’s cancer diagnosis was a really confronting experience. One of my biggest concerns was whether Cooper would be able to continue playing sport because he loved it so much. However, Cooper didn’t let his condition stop him, he continued to persevere, insisting he was the best sportsman despite playing one handed. Cooper’s sporting efforts are a testament to his perseverance and resilience.

Cooper rarely discussed his cancer because he didn’t want it to impact those around him. He was so brave and selfless, a true role model. No matter how tough things seemed to be I always believed he was going to be okay because he was so positive and motivated.

I am very proud to be an Ambassador for Cooper because I want others to be inspired by his perseverance and courage, just like I am. While I’m not too sure what being an ambassador entails, I feel very safe in Tania’s hands.”

George Foley

My friendship with Cooper was one of real mateship.

Sharing a love for sport, we would waste hours endlessly arguing over things like whether Buddy was a good signing for the swans, is Smith or Slater better in their prime, and where the Aussie cricket teams inconsistency comes from.

A natural connection came and we clicked from the early years of high school. Always laughing and smiling, our friendship meant more to myself than Cooper ever knew.

Getting involved with CRBF seemed a no brainer to me once Coops told me about it. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with the foundation, beginning with the year 12 trivia night fundraiser in early 2017.

I look forward to continuing my ongoing support of the CRBF and becoming more involved in the Foundation’s fantastic efforts to beat Sarcoma as an ambassador.

When Cooper passed away, I opened my email shortly after to find a heart-wrenching email from the younger sister of a patient who had lost his valiant battle with sarcoma. Her name was Tayla Zandona, and her words resonated with me deeply, and could have only come from someone who had lived the unspeakable devastation of sarcoma.

Tayla had lost her much- loved older brother Kyle to sarcoma at the age of 25, at a time when he had his whole life ahead of him. Every day she relives that pain, yet this extraordinary young woman still found the capacity to reach out to our family and to register her support.

Fast forward to a month ago, when Tayla and her equally lovely partner Damon came to visit us in Sydney, and it felt like we had known each other for longer. Certainly for my husband and I, there was an instant bond. The friendship was formed through the commonality of sarcoma, and yet I felt there was so much more – strong family values, a country upbringing, and the determination to succeed no matter what, which I saw so much of in Cooper.

I was delighted and somewhat surprised when I realised some weeks later, this remarkable young lady, was intent on fundraising for CRBF. This was never expected, and a very big part of me felt considerably uncomfortable with the notion, as I did not want our friendship to be based on what Tayla should or could do for the Foundation.

Nevertheless, she forged on and literally weeks after we met, on Saturday December 1, she and her amazing cohort of friends, contacts, and supporters in the Griffith region, raised $4300 for clinical research into sarcoma. This was done by a joint initiative between F45 Training in Griffith, and their trainer Andy Gamble, and the Yenda Diggers who hosted a summer session barbecue lunch with Hidden Temple providing the entertainment. Tayla also arranged a raffle, with all prizes generously donated by businesses in Griffith and Yenda.

Words really do elude me, when I am faced with an example of such pure generosity of spirit. Tayla could be forgiven for simply not wanting to look back, after what she has been through, and yet she is so driven to make a difference in the lives of sarcoma patients, by raising funds for clinical research.

I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Tayla’s family, however judging by the wonderful young woman she is, one can only imagine, they must be extraordinary.

Tayla, words really cannot express our gratitude to you for our kindness, and thoughtfulness, especially given the hand of cards you have been dealt. It goes without saying – you set the bar very high for all of us.

Your precious brother Kyle would be justifiably proud of your courage and determination, and the difference you are making in the lives of young sarcoma patients everywhere.

Tayla’s deeply touching tribute to her brother Kyle, written in her own words, appears below.

Kyle’s story starts in August 2009, returning home a little sore from a weekend trip to the snow. For only a couple of tumbles while skiing the pain was not subsiding almost a week later. All of that was put on hold when we got the devastating news that Kyles best friend had passed away. He took it upon himself to look after everyone else thinking it was only a pulled muscle. Until Kyle could no longer hide the pain as he started limping and his thigh started to swell. It was then we decided it was not a normal muscle tear despite what one of the local doctors were saying and treating it as.

Four months later on the 16th December 2009, Kyle found himself sitting in Sydney doctor’s consulting room being told at the age of 18 years that he had a tumour the size of a deflated football growing on his right femur, Osteosarcoma.

His treatment began Christmas Eve 2009 three rounds of chemo, major leg surgery that followed in February 2010, doctors had planned to remove right femur, radiate it, then to return it back. Two days prior to surgery there was a change in plans as doctors had revealed that chemo had not worked as well as we all hoped. They then decided to replace 70 percent of his leg with a titanium prophesises (just below the hip to below the knee). After surgery another three rounds were planned until the second sent him into renal failure and he was left fighting for his life.

18 months later October 2012 a PET scan revealed our worst nightmare, it had returned in his left lung which doctors immediately removed, which lead to an extremely painful recovery, Agony with every breath he took. Five months later March 2013, another lung surgery as it has return again in his right lung this time. Three months later June 2013 with chemo to commence again in July an inpatient for three weeks straight.

August 2014 another lung surgery but this time the cancer had attached itself to two ribs which doctors had to remove and rebuild his diaphragm. April 2015 another surgery. June again for his 5th lung surgery another two ribs were taken and more diaphragm rebuilt. August 2016 it had returned again protruding and growing at a rapid pace. Doctors then tried chemo injections. October 2016 more chemo then returned home.

27.10.1991 – 25.12.2016

Early in 2017, I received a message from one of Mitch’s close friends at St Pauls College, Sydney Uni, to let me know there were boys from the College undertaking fundraising for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse on behalf of Cooper and another young sarcoma patient, Jack Gibson from Sydney Uni, who had then recently been diagnosed. 

I was torn.  Such generosity of spirit by the boys at this college, many of whom had known Cooper since he was an eleven year old, yet it was accompanied by such devastating news of yet another young life, and another family affected by this insidious cancer. I offered whatever support I could to the family through the College, whilst acknowledging this family’s likely need for privacy.   A sarcoma diagnosis has the propensity to rock even the strongest of individuals, lives, and families to the core.  It is savage, relentless and life-altering.

At that time, unbeknownst to me, there were in fact two fundraising events that had taken place,  involving students from St Paul’s, St Andrew’s and Wesley Colleges, together with many students who were not attending the university, but were friends, or had a close association to the cricket club.   The latter groups were very close to Jack, his younger brother Harry, and the Gibson family.   This culminated with the shaving of heads in the St Paul’s bar one night in a very personal statement of support to Jack.  As Suzie, Jack’s mum described it so beautifully – the gesture ” was about so much more than fundraising for us. Jack’s brother, his friends from school and cricket were all devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer and felt totally helpless. They wanted to do something to help but didn’t know what. They recognised he needed their support and when he started to lose his hair as a result of his treatment, they realised how confronting this was for Jack so they all immediately decided to shave theirs as a show of support and solidarity, whilst raising an outstanding sum of $36,000 for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, where Jack received his treatment.

Cooper at this stage had not responded to mainstream treatments, and we were frantically sourcing global clinical trials and treatment options. It was indeed a stressful time, yet I clearly remember my thoughts had wandered to this young patient and his family so often.  A young man with the same cancer, treated at the same cancer hospital, a similar age, the same passion for sport and attending the university Cooper intended to attend, following in the footsteps of his older brother.  The similarities were there, yet even within the same sarcoma subtype, outcomes can differ greatly.

Jack’s name would come up regularly over the  months ahead, as it turned out, so many members of our social circle overlapped into Jack’s world.  We were able to keep abreast of his progress and to eventually know his treatment had been successful.  I remember the overriding feeling of joy and relief I felt, when this was confirmed by his mum Suzie.  

Jack has an extraordinary family who have been by his side his side throughout his sarcoma journey.  Their love and support has never waned, and despite the hell they have experienced at the hands of this cancer, they are simply the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet.

September of this year , we held our Chairman’s dinner, hosted at the NRL Museum, NRL HQ, and Jack selflessly agreed to speak to our high profile collective of guests, about his diagnosis and subsequent gruelling treatment.  In doing so, He captivated our guests, providing them with valuable insight into the life of a sarcoma patient.   This was the first time Jack had spoken publicly of the road he had travelled, and to do so, showed such courage and bravery.  You could hear a pin drop in the room as this articulate young man spoke.

It is such a great privilege and honour to welcome Jack to our Executive Committee, and each of us is looking forward to working with this amazing young man, and to make a quantifiable difference to those patients  living with a sarcoma diagnosis.

Every now and again, a family comes into your life whom quietly and without fuss make an enormous impact.  The Autores are one such family.

The Autore family, preside over the Autore Group, which is one of the largest South Sea pearl companies in the world, and providores of quality assured luxury jewellery and South Sea Pearls.

The remarkable success of The Autore Group is testament to the innovative vision of Founder and CEO – Rosario Autore, whose designs have become celebrity favorites worn by Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Selena Gomez, to name just a few.

However the Autore branding is very much a family affair.  Rosario’s very talented wife Jane is Design Director, and daughter Ruby is simply outstanding as Director of Marketing, and both share the same depth of passion for the family business as Rosario himself.

A visit to the Autore pearl jewellery design entity in Sydney’s CBD, is an experience in itself.  Set high on level 32, with harbour glimpses, you cannot help it be in awe of the myriad of magnificent designs, and the magnitude of the work going on behind the scenes.  The pearls are individually graded by hand and eye, in preparation for distribution to the world’s most prestigious jewellery houses and wholesalers, and it is a veritable hive of creative activity.
However it is not the physical location, nor the glamorous surrounds that stand out the most, it is the warmth and welcoming nature of the Autore family.  This is a family who not only work together, and represent a collective of creative genius, but they also share an indescribable capacity to give to others.

Earlier this year after the Indonesian earthquakes, the family set up a Go fund me account for the Lombok Earthquake victims, for those so badly affected in a region for which the Autore family held a long association, through pearling.  This campaign has raised over $63,500 in two months, and is well on its way to achieving its $200,000 goal.  I would urge each of you who reads this blog, to press the link below, and to contribute to this very worthy cause.

https://www.gofundme.com/npx5ee-lombok-earthquake

I have heard many stories about this family’s capacity to give, and to help others who may be in need, yet I was still surprised at the magnitude of random acts of kindness, always behind the scenes, this family were responsible for.

Our family was one of those blessed to have been a recipient of the Autore family generosity.  Cooper had attended Scots College with son Luca and a lovely friendship was forged.  One of our family’s favourite photos prior to Coop’s passing, was from Luca’s 18^th birthday, when Coop was clearly having the time of his life, and without a care.  Moments such as those were so rare for Coop, and so very precious to us.

We thank Luca sincerely for his beautiful words: 

I met Cooper during our time together at Scots and or friendship sparked instantly through our similar interests in sport, this connection grew even stronger after he moved to Sydney Grammar. 

Throughout high school we created a strong bond through our friendly competitiveness in sport and would always attempt challenge each other, whether it be who scored the best try in touch or who got more points in a game of NBA 2K. 

Playing Rugby throughout our school years, Cooper and I would often find ourselves marking each other on the field. He had grit and raw competitiveness which was something I always admired in him and would always strive to match. He was able to play any and every sport with such talent and grace, truly an all-round sportsman.  

Cooper’s sense of humour never ceased to bring a smile to my face and his infectious laugh would always brighten up the mood of everyone around him. He could always bring out the best in his friends, family and those around him.

I will never forget Cooper’s ability to always hold himself in a positive light no matter the situation, even during his unrelenting battle with sarcoma. He was always able to take the setbacks in his stride and face them head on with courage and a good sense of humour, it was something I greatly respected in him. 

After undergoing various treatments, I was so glad that Cooper was well enough and able to attend my 18th birthday party in April 2018. It was great to see him enjoy himself and share memories with not only me but many of our good friends.

My friendship with Cooper is one I will always treasure as he was always able to look positively at every situation. He had an extremely special energy and happiness which rubbed off on everyone, including myself, and I’m grateful for sharing so many special memories with him.

Miss you Coops.

The Autore family, and the company solicitor Michael Furlong, were the first to put their hand up to provide two superb pieces for the launch of  CRBF on March 28, 2017.  Their generosity returned over $6000 on the night, which went directly to the inception of the Comprehensive Sarcoma Centre at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.  I remember Cooper commenting on how much the gesture meant to him at the time…

After Cooper’s passing, the family once again showed immense generosity of spirit, in overseeing the design of The Cooper, a bracelet which Jane placed so much love, consideration and thought into designing.  Each intricate detail, was clearly put into place, with our precious son in mind, and it was indeed so very difficult to contain emotion, when the finished result was unveiled.  It was the very essence of Coop.

During a time when our family has literally been brought to its knees with grief, there are families like this one, who have reminded us we do not walk this road alone.  With their love, kindness and profound generosity, they have gone over and beyond to ensure there is a lasting legacy of Cooper to be found in their exquisite creations.

When you lose a child, those connections you may have with the past are so very meaningful, and statements such as this exquisite piece, become a lasting memory for each of us to hold on to.

The Autore family through their generosity of spirit, have also provided a great deal of hope to young sarcoma patients, with ten per cent of each sale being directed to urgently required clinical research into sarcoma.

Rosario, Jane, Ruby and Luca, words simply fail to express our infinite gratitude to each of you.

To purchase ‘The Cooper’, and in doing so contributing to research for young sarcoma patients, go to

https://www.autorepearls.com.au/jewellery/