Courtney, Malcolm and Leonna D’Silva  will walk in memory of Leonna’s son Trent.
Bruce Hunt        www.communitypix.com.au   d462164
Camera IconCourtney, Malcolm and Leonna D’Silva will walk in memory of Leonna’s son Trent. Bruce Hunt        www.communitypix.com.au d462164 Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt        www.communitypix.com.au d462164

Walk4BrainCancer: Madeley resident walking the extra mile for cancer research

Tyler BrownWanneroo Times

IT is a little known fact that brain cancer is the leading disease killer of children under 14 years, says Leonna D’Silva

Four years ago, Mrs D’Silva’s 14-year-old son Trent was diagnosed with a rare inoperable brain tumour.

“The only course of treatment was radiation and this was only to give us more time with him,” the Madeley resident said.

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“He passed away only 10 months after being diagnosed, at the age of 15.”

This Sunday, Mrs D’Silva will join her family and friends, and Trent’s best friend and his family, for the Walk4BrainCancer.

Their team of 30 – called Together4Trent – will walk 5km along the South Perth foreshore to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer research through the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation. This is the second year they have taken part.

“It’s not a challenging walk, just a casual stroll down the foreshore, but it is so much more than the walk,” Mrs D’Silva said.

“It’s about getting together with other families that are either fighting, have beaten or who have a member that has passed from brain cancer.

“We walk to honour Trent, who we miss every day, but also so there comes a day when other parents do not have to go through watching their child die like we did. A cure is needed.”

She said it would be a “very emotional event”.

“We are joined this year by a family from Albany that I met, who lost their seven-year-old daughter to the same tumour,” she said.

“She passed away only a year and a half ago.”

Mrs D’Silva said the team had been busy making themselves “as bright and colourful as possible”.

“We like to stand out in a crowd,” she said.

They have raised $3500 but aim to beat last year’s total of $6000 with their main fundraiser on December 4, which includes a ladies afternoon tea, fashion parade, cupcake and coffee, and market stalls.

“I am committed to getting the word out there,” Mrs D’Silva said.

“I am just a mother trying to spread the word and honour my son in the best way I know how.”

For details, go to www.facebook.com/together4trent.

To donate, go to www.walk4braincancer.com.au/my-fundraising/2725/together4trent.