Six years after enduring a life-changing experience with their newborn son Darcy, the Dunkerton family of Northam continue to be passionate supporters of Cancer Council WA’s Relay For Life.
Darcy was born with Erythroleukemia, a rare blood cancer which meant he commenced chemotherapy treatment just 12 hours after his birth.
Darcy’s mum Christine said you cannot help being changed after surviving such an intense and stressful period of treatment with a newborn baby.
Fortunately they were told some months later that the treatment Darcy received at Princess Margaret Hospital was effective and Darcy has been in remission since.
The Dunkertons took part in the first ever Relay For Life fundraiser event for Cancer Council WA in the Avon Valley region in 2016.
Mrs Dunkerton said the now bi-annual local Relay event is an opportunity for the family to celebrate Darcy’s strength and resilience, show support for other families who have experienced or are experiencing the impact of cancer themselves, and raise much-needed funds to help bring the defeat of cancer closer.
“We are incredibly passionate about supporting Cancer Council WA via Relay For Life,” said Mrs Dunkerton.
“The reason we take part in Relay for Life is to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
“We have friends in our community who have not had the same outcome for their child as we have had for Darcy, so it is a sign of support and love for them also,” said Mrs Dunkerton.
Mrs Dunkerton said it was an absolute joy for Darcy to light the ‘candle of hope’ at the 2016 Avon Valley Relay for Life ceremony after walking the Cancer Survivor and Carer lap of honour earlier in the day.
“It’s so very moving to feel the community spirit and the depth of raw emotion the participants experience at Relay.
“I’m sure everyone involved in the event walks away with a great sense of fulfilment and I’d encourage anyone who’s interested, to consider signing up and getting involved,” said Mrs Dunkerton.
Relay For Life is a chance for the Northam community to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, patients and their carers, to honour and remember loved ones lost to cancer and to raise money to help save more lives.
Currently, 85 people are registered in 11 teams for the 2018 Relay For Life Wheatbelt on March 9 at the Northam Recreation Centre.
Participants are aiming to raise over $50,000 for Cancer Council WA’s cancer research, prevention programs and support services.
