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Kayaking for Kemo Kids |
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In 1996, five-year-old Rebecca Glenister was diagnosed with
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – every parent’s nightmare.
This devastating news marks the start of a heartbreaking journey
of chemotherapy, daily treatment, hospital visits and plenty
of waiting - with no guarantee of a happy ending – a gut
wrenching, soul destroying initial journey.
However Rebecca’s father Bob refused to accept there was
nothing else he could do and in order to come to terms with
his daughter’s illness, Bob successfully completed a solo
sea kayak paddle from Sydney Harbour Luna Park NSW to Surfers
Paradise QLD - 1,000 gruelling kilometres on the open seas,
taking 21 days - raising funds for research into childhood cancer
and support – and so Kayaking for Kemo Kids was born.
His fundraising efforts from the initial kayaking marathons
resulted in the establishment of The Children’s Hospital
at Westmead, Oncology Units Tumour Bank - an Australian first
which provides tumour specimens to research scientists from
all over the world, as well as supporting organisations that
do so much for our children with cancer.
After kayaking four major events and travelling more than 5,000
kilometres and raising almost half a million dollars, Kayaking
for Kemo Kids founder Bob Glenister was acknowledge and rewarded
on January 26th 2003, Australia Day with a prestigious Medal
of the Order of Australia (OAM) – an award humbly accepted
by Bob. The Citation: For service to children with cancer,
particularly through founding Kayaking for Kemo Kids and fundraising
for childhood cancer research. Date Received: 26 January
2003.
The efforts of Team Kayaking for Kemo Kids, their supporters
and staff of the Children’s Hospital Oncology Research
Unit were further recognised at a Government level, with substantial
long term government funding granted. This unique partnership
has been recognised nationally and internationally as a highly
professional and ethical blue print for setting up and establishing
Tumour Bank Cancer Research Units.
In December 2005, Bob was named as a Benefactor for the Children’s
Hospital at Westmead.
The following are just some of the organisations Kayaking for
Kemo Kids has contributed to over the last few years; financially
and by bringing hope and joy to the lives of the children diagnosed
with cancer presently and more importantly for the future.
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The Children’s Hospital Westmead –
Oncology Research Unit |
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Camp Quality |
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Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital |
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HNPS Memorial Outdoor Classroom |
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Arrow Foundation. |
Bob’s experiences through Kayaking for Kemo Kids and the
inspirational people he has met has played a significant part
in Bob becoming a Paramedic in the Queensland Ambulance Service
– this has attracted new support, and together with some
experienced Kayaking for Kemo Kids old hands – the cure
for cancer, better treatment and hope for the 700 children diagnosed
with cancer each year in Australia continues – we invite
you to join us for our next challenge. |
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