A cause that will warm heads across the city, is warming the hearts of one Wagga family.
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Various groups across the region will don beanies to raise money and awareness for brain cancer this week – an illness more deadly than heart disease and leukaemia, according to Australian statistics.
The Reid family will wear their beanies for their father, Geoff, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April.
Mr Reid’s daughter, Maddie, said the news had come as a “big shock” to her family.
“Dad’s only 50,” Ms Reid said. “He’s very active and healthy.”
She said it proved the disease didn’t discriminate.
Ms Reid said her colleagues at Wagga Wagga Early Years Learning Centre, would be participating in Beanies for Brain Cancer on Thursday, to raise funds for the Mark Hughes foundation.
She said parents, children and educators were encouraged to wear their beanies and donate a gold coin towards the cause.
“Before Dad was diagnosed I hadn’t heard much about (brain cancer),” Ms Reid said.
“I know a lot more now … it gets less than five per cent of government funding … and it’s hard to treat.”
Beanies for Brain Cancer Week comes as statistics highlight a harrowing survival rate for those diagnosed, an alarming deficit in funding for research and treatment, and a surprising lack of understanding about the disease.
Less than 20 per cent of those diagnosed with the disease will survive, according to National Cancer Statistics. For some types, such as glioblastoma or DIPG, the five-year survival is less than five per cent and across the years, not much as changed.
Following surgery, Ms Reid said her father was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
She said more than ever, she wanted to contribute and make a difference to the cause she was now passionate about.
Ms Reid urged members of the community to dig deep and help fund the research that would help fight the disease.