Rory's Warriors

By Gemma Berry

My Updates

Term 1 Done - 2023 - Year 4

Wednesday 5th Apr
It's hard to believe Rory is just wrapping up his first term of year 4!! Considering he was diagnosed in early term 2 as a 4 year old kinder student - he has come a LONG way.

We are so incredibly grateful that currently Rory's cancer continues to remain stable, the innumerable tumors are quietly resting, and all we can do is hope they stay that way for as long as possible. Rory is on biannual reviews with his oncologist, neurosurgical opthamology and orthopaedic team along with the MRI.

Educationally and behaviorally it has been a big struggle. Despite Rory's keen ear, eye and and incredible memory, many aspects of school remain extremely difficult for him. Fortunately his sense of humor and enormous heart are unaffected by the side effects of cancer, brain surgery and chemotherapy treatment.

As a family we are working hard to gt Rory the best supports possible, whilst still making sure that we create memories together.

Rory is again planning on running in the School Sports Cross Country events - so hopefully this gives him the success he needs :)

Thank you to everyone who continues to follow along with Rory's journey and supports Rory's Warriors and all that we do.

The preparations for our annual fundraiser "A Sliver of Silver" are well underway and we are excited about the growth of this event! Including the men this year for a fun-filled afternoon tea with games, prizes, guest speakers and an auction - please click on the link for ticketing info!

https://www.trybooking.com/CHBID

Pancake Heaven

Wednesday 5th Apr

A Sliver of Silver

Friday 6th May
Wow!! A huge thank you to everyone involved with A Sliver of Silver - the Ladies High Tea fundraiser we held in Geelong recently. It raised over $12000 - a brilliant community effort.

Rory was amazing at the event - relishing his role as chief of Chase the Ace :)

It is now almost three years since Rory has required any treatment for his cancer - he is due for another MRI in 2 weeks to check the progress of the disease.

He still has many challenges to deal with - but as a family we are so grateful for the medical care and community support he has received and that for now - he remains "One of the lucky ones". xx

18 months post-chemo

Tuesday 25th May
This is Rory at his 18 month check up after chemo finished. He is now 3 years post-diagnosis and still going strong! His MRI scan shows that the multiple tumors are currently stable and we hope it stays that way :) Despite our good news - we will continue the national and global efforts to raise awareness of brain cancer and do what we can to help raise funds for research so that one day we can say there is a cure!
Friday 5th Mar
I ran the Great Ocean Road Running marathon on 19th May 2019. It was my first marathon and undeniably a tough task. But my reasons were unquestionable: Our 5 year old son Rory was diagnosed in May 2018 (only 3 days before last years GOR Run) with a large tumor in his upper spinal cord and other tumors throughout his brain and spine. His case (Disseminated Glioneuronal Tumors) is extremely rare and one of only 200 know cases worldwide. Whilst his condition is currently incurable – it is treatable to hopefully reduce it to a non-functioning mass. He has just completed 68 weeks of continuous chemotherapy following spinal surgery in May 2018 to decompress the tumor. We now wait for each 3 monthly MRI to see how the cancer is behaving. The tumors are all still there. I chose to run to raise funds and awareness for Rory’s condition and the thousands of other children in his position. Brain Cancer in children is devastating – and if we can do ANYTHING to aid towards research and better treatment (or even a cure!!) for Rory and these kids then we have to try. After much consideration, my husband Josh and I chose the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation to be the recipient of our fundraising efforts. The RCD Foundation has a very strong interest in funding research into pediatric brain cancer – and our best hope for Rory is more knowledge. We would appreciate any contribution, big or small. I' had never run a marathon before either - but I figured the hard work and pain is nothing what Rory will encounter for the rest of his life. We aim to continue fundraising and spreading knowledge and awareness about this awful disease so that all of these families and children stand a chance. Only 20% of children diagnosed with Brain Cancer are still alive five years post-diagnosis - and this statistic has hardly changed in 30 years! Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to RCD Foundation.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$13k

Sliver Of Silver

Final profits from A Sliver of Silver 2023

$11.73k

Rory's Warriors

Profits from A Sliver of Silver

$1.83k

Heath Middleton's Pub Crawl

Proceeds from Heath Middleton's Charity Pub Crawl

$1.31k

Gemma Berry

$1.2k

Cassandra Whitmarsh

$1.11k

Gemma Berry

$976

Shell Club

On behalf of the Shell Club from donations made

$670

Gemma Berry

$660

Gemma Berry

$600.25

Hamlyn Banks Primary School

Funds raised from Go Grey in May Day at Hamlyn Banks Primary School

$553

G B

$500

Gemma Berry

$423

Gemma Berry

$293

Gemma Berry

$261

Janine Kirk

Dear Gemma - so sorry to hear from Peter and Gayle Niblett about your son Rory battling brain cancer - it is an insidious disease and more research needs to be undertaken to dramatically improve the odds for all those who suffer from this terrible condition.

$208.80

George Jose

Really inspired with the courage of Rory and his army of supporters. Keep up the great work! Wishing him and others suffering a full recovery. God Bless!

$200

Neil Mcintosh

Good luck for Sliver of Silver - Neil, Halls Gap

$200

Simon Berry

$160.01

Gemma Berry

$158.25

Sasha Mcgregor

Hope this helps your huge fundraising efforts x

$156.60

Roxana Mishura

$150

Gino Macula

Wishing you all the best

$120

Jo Sena

$109.62

Jo And Suranga Sena

Keep up the incredible work Gemma and team!

$105.50

Yvonne

Really inspiring the work you are doing for Brain Cancer fundraising. A very worthy cause!

$105.50

Anonymous

Thanks for helping me with my health

$105.50

Louise King

All the best, Rory.

$105.50

Michael Iacono

Well done. Such a great cause.

$105.50

Damian B Meaney

$105.50

Payne Therapies Pty Ltd

$104.40

Geelong Constructions

$104.40

Chris, Jamie, Raphy And Xavi

We are sorry we couldn’t be at A Sliver if Silver but still wanted to help out. Lots of love, CJRX x

$104

Fran Cunningham

I do hope the Sliver of Silver fundraiser was a huge success, sorry I couldn’t make it. I am in awe of your little warrior Rory, along with you, Josh and Hayden, who all do such a brilliant job managing this disease and work tirelessly fundraising for vital research and raising awareness of paediatric brain cancer in the community.

$100

Grace

From Grace - wishing Rory all the best

$100

Gym Ladies

Donation for Sliver of Silver from the gym ladies

$100

Jenny Banks

$100

Sodi Cafe

$87

Goodall's Quality Meats

From all the customers at Goodall's

$80

Gemma Berry

$70

Nicki Dasovic

Good luck Rory

$52.75

Cheryl Richards

Sending lots of positive wishes to dear Rory, he really is a warrior. With a great big brother and devoted parents Rory is surrounded by lots of love and support. Good luck with "Sliver of Silver" day.

$52.75

Beverley Burns

$52.75

Duncan

You are a legend and warrior in your own right

$52.20

Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre

$52.20

Beverley Burns

Thinking of you all

$52.20

Margy Pitt

Stay strong ❤️

$52.20

Mark Hyland

Thanks for the tracky daks! I'll with them with pride

$52.20

Melisa Corona

$52.20

Jacinta Brown

$52.20

Julie Baker

Sorry I couldn’t get there Gemma and Rory. 1/3 time lucky next year. Have a great arvo

$52

Gino Macula -dimac Constructions

Wishing you all the best

$50

Lucy Bowles

For Sliver of Silver

$50

Gemma Berry

$50

Anonymous

You are doing an amazing job!

$50

Corrina Hayhoe

$50

Jo-ann Hurley

$50

Christopher Kelly

$50

Nick Maxwell

$50

Mike Hunneyball

$50

Mark Richmond

$50

Robyn Coonan

$50

Heather Smith

$50

Becky Cherriman

$50

Michelle Barwick

$50

Sandy Hallam

For Sliver of Silver

$50

M And L Dowling

For Sliver of Silver

$41.76

Cheryl Richards

Good Luck !

$31.65

Sue Francis

Cheryl Walkers Birthday Fundraiser

$31.32

Cheryl Richards

$31.20

Jennifer Smith

$21.10

Claire Connell

This is such an important cause and I wish you all the best with your efforts.

$20.88

Mill

Keep raising funds and awareness. Xxx

$20.88

Tracey Vanstone

My sister-in-law,Laurelle, is a teacher at Rory’s school. She mentioned the afternoon tea tomorrow but I can’t make it. Good luck with the fundraising and with Rory’s journey.

$20.88

Anonymous

$20

Gail Fluker

Good luck with Sliver of Silver

$20

Natasha Frame

$20

Chris & Kylie Kesower

$20

Geraldine And John Day

$15.66

Sarah Jeffreys

Friend of Lou’s and wanted to contribute even though I couldn’t attend the high tea All the best

$14

Rory's Warriors

Rory's Warriors Merchandise

$10.44

Courtney Watts

Fundraiser slices