Today locals Stephen, Yvonne, Nalani & Jarrett Anthoney were part of an extraordinary light of human kindness burning ever so brightly, as they humbly and proudly announced the Qcity Transit Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund Bus Awareness Raising Campaign.
A campaign sponsored by local bus company Qcity Transit in Queanbeyan has been launched today by Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja to assist in creating vital awareness of Paediatric Brain Tumour Research and Funding across the wider Canberra and Queanbeyan regions.
Two buses with their bright ‘Dainere’s Rainbow’ themed advertisements will be used to draw attention to the special cause. The campaign will direct people to Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund which was created after Dainere Anthoney aged 16 of Gungahlin was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 24 March 2009 and passed away on 24 June 2013.
Dainere made it her aim to increase awareness of the horrific disease through publishing books about the illness including a children’s book about how a child should be welcomed back to school following treatment. The book has since been placed in every Government school library in the ACT. Dainere was also posthumously named as the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2013.
100% of all funds raised go directly to Paediatric Brain Tumour Research at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Kids Cancer Centre in Sydney. The campaign will run indefinitely on the buses.
Dainere’s photo and her special words appear on the back of the buses: “My little voice could only make a small difference but together many voices could create change.”
“Dainere was an inspiration and a credit to our community. She showed me that your age was no barrier when it came to getting involved and helping others,” Senator Seselja said today.
“I’m honoured to be part of the official launch of the Qcity bus campaign today and look forward to seeing the buses around our local area.
“I welcome interest from likeminded businesses and individuals to make contact with Dainere’s parents Stephen and Yvonne Anthoney or the Fund Patron John Mikita, to discuss how you can assist with raising awareness. This insidious disease effects one person and their family in Australia every 5 hours and is the number one cancer killer of Australian children,” Senator Seselja concluded.
QCity Transit carries over 6,500 school children daily across our bus network. The buses will operate widely in the region down towards Cooma, up to Yass in the north, and throughout the Canberra and Queanbeyan region with school pickups, drop offs and inter peak charter. For more information on Qcity Transit go to www.qcitytransit.com.au
Photo thanks to the Anthoney family.