Family of toddler with cancer in run for funding

THE family of two-year-old Thomas Hunt has a deeply personal reason to do this year’s Run for a Reason event.

The toddler’s parents realised there was a lack of funding for childhood cancer research when Thomas was diagnosed with cancer of the soft tissue, or rhabdomyosarcoma, in January.

His mother Jane said Thomas and his family would do the 4km walk on May 22 to raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Research Institute.

“Nobody ever thinks that their child is going to be diagnosed with cancer,” she said.

“Once they are, you rely on what research has already been done.”

Mrs Hunt said her son, who would be walking with his brother Oliver (4) as Team Thomas, had undergone a couple of successful surgeries and started six months of chemotherapy treatment.

“During the time we have spent on the children’s oncology ward we have met some very brave little soldiers, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy,” she said.

“These cancer-fighting treatments are awfully difficult for children to cope with, and usually these protocols are actually designed for adults.

“The side effects and long- term effects of these treatments bring many more difficulties for these children and in some cases can even result in secondary cancers later on in life.

“Children are our future, so we need to make sure that we find a cure.”

The Eglinton resident said they had already raised more than $4500, but hoped increased awareness would encourage more people to donate.

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