Community
4 October, 2024
Resident inspired to ‘Walk 4 Brain Cancer’
ONE Camperdown resident is warming up this month as she prepares to complete a 10 kilometre walk next month as part of ‘Walk 4 Brain Cancer’.
Kellarnie Edwards will be participating in the walk on Sunday, November 24 to help raise funds for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, with donations already coming in through her dedicated page.
Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is Australia’s leading brain cancer research, advocacy and awareness organisation which aims to improve brain cancer survival rates and improve the quality of life of people with brain cancer.
Ms Edwards said the cause is close to her heart and allows her to do something to help work towards a cure.
“My mum was diagnosed last year with inoperable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is a type of brain cancer,” she said.
“Unfortunately, it’s very aggressive, and there’s no cure for it. I didn’t realise, until my mum was diagnosed, how common brain cancer is.
“You get talking to people and they know someone who has it.
“It actually kills more children than any other disease in Australia, and also more people under 40 than any other cancer.
“We’re really lucky my mum has responded really well to treatment – she’s having treatment in Warrnambool at the Icon centre.”
Ms Edwards said she has been spending time with her mother to make memories.
“We’re realistic about it – we know GBM has no cure, and eventually it will progress,” she said.
“I really appreciate all the support from everyone because I’ve moved up here from Melbourne to help my dad look after my mum and I’m really lucky I could do that.
“I get to spend the time with her, and it’s such an amazing town Camperdown.
“There are so many lovely people – I’ve made some great friends and I think I’m probably going to end up staying.”
The main source of inspiration for Ms Edwards to complete the walk is her mother, which she said is the main reason she has taken the step into fundraising for the first time.
“My mum inspires me with how brave and courageous she is, and she’s such a positive person and she just carries on and gets on with it,” she said.
“She’s a warrior, and she’s inspired me to do the walk.
“I want to raise funds for the Cure Brian Cancer Foundation, so they can continue doing research and the amazing stuff they do, and hopefully find a cure one day.
“I’ve actually never done a lot of fundraising before, so I set it kinda low because I wasn’t sure - straight away, friends and family smashed it, so I’ve raised the bar which is very humbling.”
Ms Edwards’ original goal was $500, but her fundraising total has, at the time of printing, already reached $633.
She has since set her new fundraising goal at $1500.
“I would just like to thank everyone so far for their support,” Ms Edwards said.
“It’s just an amazing community.
“My parents have so many wonderful friends here that have just been so supportive since this has happened.”
Ms Edwards said there are still details being worked out for the official walk on November 24, but she has started preparing herself through walks around town.
“I haven’t planned the route yet, but we’re probably doing it somewhere around town so that if other people want to join in they’re more than welcome,” she said.
“Until then, I’m going to be out doing a bit of walking because I have to get my fitness up before then.
“If anyone sees me out pounding the pavement, they’re more than welcome to come up and say hello to me and ask me about it.”
To donate to Ms Edwards’ walk, visit my.walk4braincancer.com.au/walk4braincancer-virtual-2024/kellarnie-edwards.
“Otherwise, if they see me – if they don’t want to donate online or can’t – they can just give me cash donations and their details, and I can enter the donation for them and then send them a receipt,” she said.