Two Canberra men have their sights set far beyond the finish line as they take on Sydney’s Epic City2Surf, the world’s largest fun run this August for an equally epic cause.
Jarrett Anthoney and Mark Scarborough are competing in the gruelling race in a bid to raise funds for paediatric brain cancer research. They will do so in memory of Jarrett’s sister Dainere and in the knowledge this cancer remains the number one disease killer of children in Australia.
Jarrett explains, in 2013 Dainere lost a four-year battle with the disease but not before a tireless effort to raise awareness and funds for research. After her death, her family established the Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund to continue her legacy, with all proceeds going to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“Before Dainere passed away, together we planned that I could help raise further awareness about brain tumours and much-needed funds through doing something I loved – running,” Jarrett continues.
This will mark Jarrett’s fifth year running in the event in support of his sister’s goal. Meanwhile he will be joined in his endeavour by Gungahlin local Mark Scarborough who completed his first City2Surf only last year after taking up running just months earlier.
He was so inspired by Dainere’s Rainbow that he has this year upped the challenge to include all major races on the City Run calendar, totalling 56km across four different states.
“Physically and mentally running last year’s City2Surf was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it bears no comparison to the everyday challenges children and their families face battling brain tumours, and the incredible efforts of researchers working to eliminate this disease,” Mark said.
Mark who was recently appointed as the official Ambassador for Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund has committed to all four of the City Run Series events as part of his fundraising efforts. Mark recently returned from Brisbane’s City2South, he will complete the Sydney City2Surf in August, then the Canberra Times Fun Run in September, and Melbourne City2Sea in November.
As part of the partnership with Dainere’s Rainbow, all proceeds raised by the men will go to Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. This will help the Hospital relentlessly seek better outcomes for children diagnosed with brain cancer. Their ground-breaking research includes investigating the biology and genetics of childhood brain tumours, identifying agents that have an anti-tumour effect, and working towards treatment strategies and state-of-the-art clinical trials.
Nicola Stokes, CEO of Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation said, “I am continually inspired and moved by both Jarrett and Mark’s ongoing commitment to children with brain cancer. By continuing Dainere’s legacy, they will support our clinicians in ensuring children affected by this disease receive the best possible care now and in the future,” she said. Dainere’s parents Stephen and Yvonne Anthoney explained together Dainere’s Rainbow and the Sydney Children’s Hospital were working to fulfil Dainere’s wish.
“The Fund maintains a lifetime commitment to helping eradicate this number one disease cause of death for children. As was Dainere’s wish, we are dedicated to heightening awareness of paediatric brain tumours and extending practical assistance and knowledge to families. It is our hope to see her greatest wish in life of a cure become a reality.”
For Jarrett and Mark, the challenge of Heartbreak Hill and the City2Surf course is sure to be testing, but in the words of Dainere herself: “You have to go through a storm to get to a rainbow”.
To support Jarrett and Mark in their bid to raise funds for Dainere’s Rainbow and the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, see: https://city2surf2017.everydayhero.com/au/Jarrett-Anthoneyhttps://city2surf2017.everydayhero.com/au/mark-scarborough
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