| |
Kayaking for Kemo
Kids |
 |
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.
|
The Children’s Hospital Westmead
– Oncology Research Unit |
|
Camp Quality |
|
Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital |
|
HNPS Memorial Outdoor Classroom |
|
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 support us
in our final paddle. |
|
|
|
