Battles form special bonds

By Alison Noonan
A TERMINALLY ill Cranbourne man is helping to give the gift of life to a young cancer patient.
Mick Hegedus, 42, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer about two months ago.
Despite being riddled with tumours and confined to a hospital bed, he has joined with friends to organise a fundraising night for a sixyearold Skye boy diagnosed with stage five neuroblastoma.
The event will raise funds to continue vital medical treatment for Dylan Hartung, whose brave fight for survival has received widespread media coverage.
Dylan was forced to take his battle to America in January this year to undergo treatment not available in Australia.
However, more funds are needed to allow Dylan to continue his treatment in New York.
Mr Hegedus and friends heard of Dylan’s plight and organised the fundraising night at Cranbourne’s Amstel Golf Club in a show of support for the young cancer sufferer.
Good friend Ian Pilling said the evening would be held in Mick’s honour, with all proceeds to go to Dylan’s family.
Mr Pilling said the event had given Mick a focus to take his mind off his own struggle and support someone else in the same boat.
“It is a fundraiser with Mick in mind but we can also follow the progress of another young cancer sufferer.
“All of Mick’s friends and family will be there to support his charity and help a young child in trouble,” he said.
Friend “Doc” Perrin said “support” was the theme and praised the community’s eagerness to offer donations.
“The theme of the night is to support each other, whether it be a six year old or a 42yearold battler,” Mr Perrin said.
“It is all about local people helping local people.
“Everybody that I have asked so far has been happy to help but we are still looking for more donations to raffle off on the night.
“We have most of the 150 seats filled but there are still tables available,” he said.
The fundraising night starts at 7pm on Saturday 26 November at Amstel Golf Course, Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne.
The cost is $40 a head, which includes entertainment by rock’n’roll band ‘The Skrotes’, a twocourse dinner and guest speakers.
For more information contact “Doc” Perrin on 0419 503 655 or Ian Pilling on 0419 787 504.