Rory's Warriors

By Gemma Berry

My Updates

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

$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

$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

Simon Berry

$156.60

Roxana Mishura

$120

Jo Sena

$109.62

Jo And Suranga Sena

Keep up the incredible work Gemma and team!

$105.50

Damian B Meaney

$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

$100

Grace

From Grace - wishing Rory all the best

$100

Gym Ladies

Donation for Sliver of Silver from the gym ladies

$100

Jenny Banks

$87

Goodall's Quality Meats

From all the customers at Goodall's

$80

Gemma Berry

$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

$50

Gemma Berry

$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

$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

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