Running for a Wish... and Noah and Aaron and Lindsay

Today was the third annual Run for a Wish fun run/walk, which raises money for the Make a Wish Foundation.    The first one was just a couple of week after Noah passed away so Aaron was still alive, and we decided to still do it as a family in memory of Noah, as he was blessed to have been granted a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation.   We continue to do it in memory of both Noah and Aaron and to help raise money and awareness for a great cause.

This year I ordered some new t-shirts for it and were really happy with how they turned out.  Kobe said he liked looking at the t-shirts because it made him think of Daddy and Noah and reminded him what they looked like. 
The boys were excited to see Hawka before the race.

It's so nice to have family and friends join us in it, and Noah turned on the weather for us once again.

This year Alison did some extra fund raising by signing up to be an 'every day hero' where people could donate to her for running.  She had Noah and Aaron's initials on her hands to inspire her to keep going as she was running. 

She did so well and raised over $1100 for Make a Wish!  She was the top fundraiser and was lucky to win a iron man watch.

My friend Simone organised balloons to release and we let them go as the starting buzzer sounded. 

Harri and Jay took off together and I knew that Harri would run really fast the whole way.  It was so nice at the end to hear them say they stuck together the whole time and crossed the line together.  Harri said it was fun running together because last year he got bored by himself.  We definitely aren't runners so I was proud of them for running almost the whole 6.4 km.

Photo taken from The Examiner website

Kobe and I stuck together and I expecting him to be really slow.  Last year he was so slow and I had to piggy back him half way around the course, but this year he was excited to actually run part of the way.  After the first 500 metres or so he decided he couldn't run the entire course, so we did lots of jogging and then walking.  About 2 km in he started saying 'I'm so tired! I can't do it! I'm going to take my number off and never do this again!' as he would start taking his bib off his t-shirt. 

When I would remind him of how well he was going and how Daddy and Noah would be so proud if him, he would get his second wind...for at least 10 metres, and then he would start all over again. 

To get him to faster I would say 'Quick! The people behind us are about to catch up!' and he would run for a little bit and then get tired and say 'it doesn't matter Mum! We're not coming last!' :)   As we headed back into Aurora towards the finish line he got his third wind and sprinted around Aurora to cross the finish line with his cousin Lachie.

 Everyone who enters the run gets a medal.  The boys were excited to add another one to their collection.  Harri and and Kobe have both been very emotional today and have had lots of tears.  Both of them said they were really missing Daddy and Noah today because we ran for them. Harri said he felt them around a lot today, and so did I but while I find it comforting, Harri says it makes him miss them even more. 

It was lovely to catch up with Tania who is Mia's Mum.  Mia passed away four months ago and I felt privileged to take photos at her funeral.  Unfortuately Mia passed away before she was able to be granted a wish. 
Mia's sisters and cousins had decorated their tops for Mia.

After the run we did the usual run to Maccas for lunch. I'm sure Aaron would've been proud.

Thanks Courtney for saying hello and telling me you read my blog and follow us on Instagram.  I often get comments from people saying that they have seen us around, but are too scared to say hi, but it's so nice when people do.

We wish so much that Aaron and Noah were here to do the run with us, but it's nice to run for them and help raise money for children with life threatening illnesses.  The run raised over $28,000 which is fantastic.  We know how much it is going to brighten the lives of some very sick children and their families.

On our most recent trip to Queensland we spent some time with my cousin Lanai and her family.  Their son Lindsay (front left) is around Jalen's age and has been sick for a couple years.  Recently he was diagnosed with a left temporal lobe brain tumour.  It is a rare type of tumour and doesn't respond well to chemotherapy and radiation, and surgery isn't recommended as it will cause permanent damage. 

does not have a history of responding well to chemo or radiation therapy. It also causes regular seisures which are difficult, seemingly impossible to control with large doses of medication which effect his ability to live a normal life and have caused significant side effects.  - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-lindsay-beat-this-brain-tumour/96681#sthash.PsMh0EUy.dpuf

After just over 2 years of debilitating sickness, vomiting, nausea, headaches and fatigue and after seeing 2 pediatritions, countless doctors, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist and two psychologists and undergoing countless tests and many people not understanding why he constantly felt so miserable, Lindsay suffered a grand mal seisure in July this year. The hospital soon ran tests which confirmed that Lindsay had a Left Temporal Lobe Brain Tumour.

- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-lindsay-beat-this-brain-tumour/96681#sthash.PsMh0EUy.dpuf

After just over 2 years of debilitating sickness, vomiting, nausea, headaches and fatigue and after seeing 2 pediatritions, countless doctors, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist and two psychologists and undergoing countless tests and many people not understanding why he constantly felt so miserable, Lindsay suffered a grand mal seisure in July this year. The hospital soon ran tests which confirmed that Lindsay had a Left Temporal Lobe Brain Tumour.

- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-lindsay-beat-this-brain-tumour/96681#sthash.PsMh0EUy.dpuf

Our hearts break for Lanai, Gavin, Lindsay and his brother Mitchell as they are now making very hard decisions to help Lindsay beat this tumour.  Gavin has also recently been made redundant at work so things are extremely hard for them right now.

Lindsay would actually be able to apply for a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation, but right now they are struggling just go get through each day as Lindsay is having seizures which are hard to control with medication, and he just feels so unwell all the time. 

The best options for successful treatment of this type of tumour is in the USA where Lindsay will be receiving treatment in 2 states of the USA with different protocols. The funds raised will be for medical treatment, a small allocation for emergency hospital costs, some of the flight costs to USA and between two states regularly for treatment, accomodation, costs for air travel nurse and medical visas. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-lindsay-beat-this-brain-tumour/96681#sthash.PsMh0EUy.dpuf

The best options for treatment are in the USA where Linsday will receive treatment in two different states.  Unfortunately the cost for the treatment is extremely expensive with the family having to find the finances to cover the cost of travel, medical treatment, accommodation, emergency hospital costs, costs for an air travel nurse and medical visas.

Lindsay needs this treatment as soon as possible and a fundraising page has been set up to help raise the funds to get him and his Mum to the USA.  If you are able to help out please donate by clicking on this link  and you can also like the Facebook page that has been set up to keep people up to date. 

The amount needed is a lot, and it sometimes feels like what we can give isn't enough, but I know first hand that every little bit helps, even if it is only a couple of dollars. We hope Linsday is able to get the treatmet he needs to live a normal, happy, and long life.