By Eleanor Wilson
The sunshine followed determined walkers around Berwick Springs Lake early on Sunday 27 November as they completed the Walk4BrainCancer.
Members of the newly merged Narre Warren Berwick Business Group (NWBBG), as well as community members and brain cancer warriors totalled 200 for the charity stroll.
The morning began early with a 9am KX pilates warm up, before participants chose between a 3km or 5km walk.
Narre Warren Berwick Business Group vice-president Magda D’Abaco revealed the group was able to double their fundraising goal, for a total of $20,000 raised for brain cancer research.
“We are so proud of what the community has come together to do,” Ms D’Abaco said.
“We had so many different types of families join us, including those supporting loved ones going through the brain cancer journey or those who had unfortunately passed.
“It was really nice to see everyone band together.”
Money from this year’s Walk4BrainCancer, which has reached over $1.7 million nationally, will go towards bringing the GBM AGILE clinical trial to Australia.
The trial aims to revolutionise the way treatments are tested and developed to treat glioblastoma and is currently being undertaken in the United States.
“It’s really important, there’s not much research and not much funding for brain cancer unfortunately, because not so many people are diagnosed with it,” Ms D’Abaco said.
The five-year survival rate for brain cancer has “barely improved in more than 30 years” according to Walk4BrainCancer.
Around 2000 Australians develop brain cancer every year, yet just one in five people diagnosed with the disease will survive the five-year mark.
It is a cherished cause for Ms D’Abaco, whose mum Grace is fighting her own battle with a Glioblastoma brain tumour.
Grace was present at Berwick Springs Lake, cheering on the team from the sidelines.
“She’s one of the lucky ones that has got a clinical trial, not everyone is lucky enough to receive that further treatment on top of the standard treatment so that’s why it’s so close to my heart,” Ms D’Abaco said.
“We had the opportunity to give back to a lot of other sufferers so that’s why it’s so important for my family to raise money, and more importantly raise awareness of these trials so other people don’t have to suffer in the future.”
The walk was the first community event following the business group merger in early November.
“It was a really important step for us because it combined not just traders, but the community as a whole,” Ms D’Abaco said.
“We want to convey that strength the merged group has now, not just for businesses, but we want the community to be aware that local business is behind them.
“It really is about showing the community we’re trying to work together as one.”
