24 Oct Bella the Brave Fun Run
Have you heard about the brave little local girl Bella Bates?
Bella was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, anaplastic ependymoma, in September 2016 at 13 months of age. Since her diagnosis, Bella has endured a total of 8 brain surgeries, multiple rounds of high dose chemotherapy, and spent a large part of her life in and out of Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. Bella had a re-occurrence of her cancer in August 2017, following which her family was advised was incurable. The family sought help from Dr CharlieTeo, who operated on Bella in October 2017 and was able to remove the tumour successfully. Bella is currently a healthy, happy, and normal toddler, despite all she has been through.
Gladstone Region residents are invited to join Bella and her family at the inaugural Bella the Brave Fun Run on November 10. The event aims to raise money for the Charlie Teo Foundation and increase awareness about childhood brain cancer. Bella’smother and organiser of the event, Robin Berthelsen said Brain cancer kills more children than any other disease and the treatment options often offered are designed for adults, not children, with serious and significant short- and long-term side effects. “Better treatment options are needed for children suffering from brain cancer to improve the dismal statistics on long-term survival. To do this, there needs to be greater community awareness and increased funding for research. Bella the Brave aims to achieve both,” she explained.
At the fun run, there will be face painting for the kids, a sausage sizzle and refreshments, as well a multi-draw raffle with some great prizes. T-shirts will also be available for purchase or come dressed in yellow, which is the internationally recognised colour for childhood cancer. There will be a prize for best-dressed – the crazier, the better, and tutus are encouraged! You can register for the event online@ Eventbrite. Participants over ten years of age will receive a finisher medal. Robin said that t-shirts are available for purchase at the event at $25each. The pre-purchase of these is encouraged as limited stock will be available at the event. Please email r.berthelsen82@gmail.com with the order details.
