Children with brain cancers don't need soft toys; their parents don't need platitudes. They need answers. Options. Smarter, safer treatments. Hope.
The Ethan Davies Fellowship for Brain Cancer Research is the sort of collaboration the Institute's researchers love. It's a grassroots, community fundraising campaign started by Christie-Lee and Shannon Davies after their son Ethan was diagnosed with ependymoma, a type of brain cancer.
After surgery and extensive treatment, Ethan is clear of cancer - for now. There are no guarantees it won't return, but he's doing really well. Meanwhile, the fellowship in his name is pushing the boundaries of what science can do to help other kids just like him.
Christie-Lee and Shannon, their friends, family - even kind strangers who have heard their story - raise funds all year round to provide a fellowship. This award pays for a clinical practitioner to work in the brain cancer laboratory at The Kids.
"They're able to bring their neurosurgery skills into the Institute, which is something that's never been done before," says Christie-Lee, "and they're also able to assist with the research side of things. So it brings together research and practice."
Every time the funds from sausage sizzles, donations and community events hit $150,000, it means the Ethan Davies Fellowship can be offered for another year.
"Ethan's parents are a truly selfless and inspirational couple," says Dr Nick Gottardo, co-leader of the The Kids' Brain Tumour Research Program. "When his parents must have felt like their world was crashing down around them, they asked how they could help fund research to prevent this happening to other families. To me, that says it all."
For Christie-Lee and Shannon Davies, the Fellowship has allowed them to support the researchers and doctors who have helped their son. They have harnessed the love and support of their extended circle of friends and family and put it to good use.
"When your child goes through cancer treatment, you're very helpless and there's very little you can actually do," says Christie-Lee. "And that's why we decided in the first place to start the Fellowship at the Institute so we could say to people look, thank you so much for caring about us, if you'd like to help, it's the best way you can help us."
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