When eight-year-old April was diagnosed with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma last year, her friend Oscar thought: “Why? Why do bad things happen to good people?”
The 11-year-old Taylors Hill boy says that before April’s diagnosis he didn’t realise how prevalent cancer was or what people who are battling the disease go through.
Oscar and his family have set up a team for this year’s Caroline Springs Relay for Life in honour of their young friend.
“I wanted to show people how upsetting it can be for anyone, especially a kind person, to have this thing happen to them,” Oscar said. “And it’s sad knowing they didn’t do anything bad to [be diagnosed with cancer].
“April used to do calisthenics and [since the diagnosis] she’s always tried to keep a good mind and has always tried to lead a normal life.”
April is undergoing a second round of chemotherapy and hopes it will be her last.
Oscar’s mum, Olivia Hodgetts, said this was the second time the family will have taken part in Relay for Life, but this time they were fundraising for someone they knew who had been diagnosed with cancer.
She says the family wanted to raise money for the Cancer Council and raise awareness about the disease.
“We feel like it’s unfair that little kids have to deal with such a serious illness and that’s why we decided to call the team Inspired by April,” she said. “We’re inspired by the fact that an eight-year-old girl can tolerate the pain, have forgiveness and not blame anyone for the cancer. She’s so resilient.”
Ms Hodgetts says her goal for Lent this year was to sign up 40 people to the team. She’s since surpassed that goal, with 47 people signing up. She’s urging anyone who can spare a few minutes, or a few dollars, to donate for the good cause.
The Caroline Springs Relay for Life will run overnight September 16-17 at the Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
To donate to Ms Hodgetts team, or set up a team of your own, visit relayforlife.org.au.
