THE memory of Leon Stone is being kept alive at a fundraising fun run in Carine this month.
Nathan and Ashlee Kammann, of Sorrento, are organising the event to help fund research into osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that took the life of 20-year-old Leon in 2012.
Mr Kammann became friends with Leon at university and was inspired by how he fought the disease.
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READ NOW“When Leon was sick he never once complained,” he said.
“He was always thinking positively even though he knew the odds were against him.”
The Australasian Sarcoma Study Group established a grant in his name in 2013, which annually awards funds to Australian scientists for research into osteosarcoma.
Though Mr Kammann is used to running ultra marathons in a bid to raise money for sarcoma research, he and his wife have planned a more family-friendly 5km fun run at Carine Open Space on March 25.
“This is an unknown cancer that does take the lives of a lot of young people,” he said.
“We can’t let (Leon’s) legacy die with him.”
Mrs Kammann encouraged walkers and runners to be part of the event, which Leon’s friends and family were also attending.
“It’s a bit of family fun in their backyard,” she said.
“It will also be nice for people to get to know Leon’s story.”
Registration costs $20 including refreshments and prizes and children can attend free with every adult.
For catering purposes, register at bit.ly/2oHpd4B.
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