Walk4BrainCancer Wollongong draws a crowd each year to commemorate loved ones lost to the disease, celebrate survivors, support those who are battling the illness and their families, and raise much-needed funds. Photo: Kate Mitrovski.
An annual Wollongong event has raised almost half a million dollars for brain cancer research since 2015, and organiser Kate Mitrovski wants the community to make this year the biggest-ever Walk4BrainCancer.
Kate’s dad, Stojan, died of the disease a month before his 37th birthday, when Kate was 14.
“He was caring, hard-working, very committed to his family,” Kate said.
“He always showed a lot of interest in our education and sports, he loved Macedonian music and dancing and was always there to help anyone who needed help.
“He was kind, he was fun to be around. We looked up to him.”
Stojan tried to stay optimistic and hide the severity of his illness from his family, but Kate said towards the end, it became more difficult.
Her dad began to slur his words, and lost full control of his legs and arms.
The children saw him have several strokes, and their mum was heartbroken as she cared for the man who had been her “whole world” since she was 16 years old.
After Stojan’s passing, despite the tragedy of loss, Kate and her family moved forward with their lives, until one day more than 20 years later.
“I was on my lunch break, scrolling on social media, and saw a friend shared an article,” Kate said.
“It said not much had changed about brain cancer treatment and support in 20 years, and it gets less government funding than other types of cancer.
“I couldn’t believe things hadn’t changed since I lost my dad. I felt this urgent need to do something.”
Kate planned to take part in the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation’s Walk4BrainCancer when she learnt the nearest event was in Sydney.
She knew friends and family members who had received brain cancer diagnoses in Wollongong, and she decided to create an event here.
“I set a target to raise $2000 and I thought a few friends and family would do the walk with me,” Kate said.
“We raised $15,000 in two weeks and 120 people attended – I didn’t know most of them.
“I realised how important the event was for our community.
“It gives people who have lost loved ones the opportunity to honour their memory, we get to show survivors we are still committed to them, and those who are still fighting get courage, hope and support.
“We walk to show we are all in this together as a community, and we will do what we can to find a cure.”
The Walk4BrainCancer Wollongong has been held every year since, although during the pandemic participants had to complete “virtual walks” by themselves or with others in their bubble.
Kate said people whose lives had not been touched by brain cancer might be surprised to learn how common it was.
Cancer is the most common cause of child death in Australia, and brain cancer is the most deadly, and one of the most common, childhood cancers.
“Glioblastoma is the deadliest type, it has a survival rate of just 5 per cent,” Kate said.
“Brain cancer kills more people under 40 than any other cancer. These are horrible statistics, and a lot of funds need to be raised to change this reality.
“On top of that, it’s very expensive to treat.
“We had a local family with a little girl who died at two years old a few years ago.
“She had to be on a special formula, and special equipment was required to administer the formula, so they had really high out-of-pocket expenses.
“We do the walk to help raise the quality of life for patients as well as finding a cure.”
This year the walk will be held on Sunday, 20 October, at Beaton Park Athletics Track in Gwynneville from 9 am.
There will be family-friendly entertainment including a DJ, jumping castle, face painting, a cheerleading performance, sausage sizzle, food stall, coffee truck, ice-cream van and merchandise for sale.
There will also be a raffle with prizes valued at more than $15,000.
There’s still time to sign up to walk as an individual or as part of a team, or to make a donation.
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