Emily gives hope to kids with cancer
In August 2015, a then 10-year-old Emily saw a news piece about Fight Cancer Foundation’s Back on Track education support program on television. Emily was so moved by seeing children and young people missing out on school while they received treatment for cancer that she knew she had to do something to help. She decided to give up soft drink for a whole year and asked her family and friends to sponsor her effort.
With the help of her parents, Emily created an online fundraising page and told everyone at school about her fundraising goal.
Beginning the challenge the day after her 10th birthday, Emily used her birthday celebrations as her final chance to enjoy soft drink.
During the yearlong challenge, Fight Cancer Foundation organised a special visit for Emily to visit our education support program at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead with the Education Coordinators. This visit meant Emily could speak with our Back on Track teachers and see firsthand how her incredible fundraising efforts would help.
“It was really hard not drinking soft drink for the past year, but it has been worth it. It makes me so sad to think that other kids my age miss out on being with their friends and going to school because of cancer, so I really wanted to help. Meeting the teachers at Back on Track helped me to understand how fundraising for Fight Cancer Foundation was going to make a difference,” said Emily.
Even though forgoing soft drink during the festive season was challenging, Emily’s supportive parents and grandparents are incredibly proud of Emily’s commitment and selflessness in making a difference in the lives of kids and young people living with cancer.
Emily reached the one year mark earlier this month and surpassed her fundraising goal, raising $918.22!
Emily’s has written about her experience meeting the Back on Track team:
