Sarah Oliver
A resident from Hillside will be joining a group of 60 colleagues from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in a 21 kilometre walk for Cancer Council Victoria this Saturday.
The group were inspired to participate in Walking Stars after a colleague was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in August this year.
“It was very sudden – no signs or symptoms, he just had a bit of pain under his ribs one day and had some tests done, and a week later he’s diagnosed,” Ms Hanna said.
“So that came as a shock to him and of course the workplace.”
Ms Hanna said the walk will also be as a tribute to staff they have lost in the past, the latest being in July this year.
“As much as we’re doing this for him, we want to remember and acknowledge” the people they’ve lost.
The team has already raised $25,000, but are hopeful they can raise over $30,000 in the coming days.
The night-time half-marathon walk is returning after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic, with over 1500 people expected to take part.
Ex-AFL player Paul Licuria will be the master of ceremonies at the Kings Domain starting point, where walkers will take off at sunset through Melbourne, venturing past iconic landmarks, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Federation Square and the Shrine of Remembrance.
This year, participants can choose to take part in the physical event in Melbourne city, or they can sign up to do it virtually by walking a 21km walk at a place that suits them.
Head of fundraising and communications, Lyrian Fleming-Parsley, said the event will be a real celebration.
“After another year of what has felt like never-ending lockdowns, it will be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the community – those who haven’t been able to get together since the start of the pandemic.”
Details: walkingstars.cancervic.org.au/
Jo’s team fundraising page: walkingstars.cancervic.org.au/fundraisers/walkdmc
