So Much Endured, So Much Needed

Oliver turned 10 months old yesterday. It's hard to believe that someone so young could have endured so much so early in life. It's harder to consider that there are others who are younger who have endured more. I have had the privilege to meet some of the most amazing children and parents over the past few months.

In some ways I am embarrassed to say that my son has already beaten his cancer and is just going through the motions to make sure it's completely defeated. Maybe I am being a little too optimistic, but as far as I know that is the truth of the matter. Whilst I know that he may relapse, and that he will have a greater than average chance of developing a new cancer, for now he is a healthy normal little boy.

Next Wednesday is the Leukemia Foundation's "Light the Night" (http://www.lightthenight.org.au/). Oliver's Nanna has a team called the Ollywalkers. They will be a group amongst others who will walk with different coloured glowing balloons to signify a different journey -

• Light a gold balloon to REMEMBER a loved one lost.
• Light a white balloon to CELEBRATE being a blood cancer survivor.
• Light a blue balloon to GIVE HOPE and show your support.

Next year, Oliver will walk with his own white balloon.

How sad it is that fundraising is required by hospitals and other foundations and groups to provide the care, support, vision and research to fight sickness and disease. How amazing that there are so many individuals and businesses who give so generously because they know how important it is. May I encourage you to give as you can to whichever cause most touches your heart. There are many organisations that are in desperate need of funds - I'm sure you can find something to support.

Having just endured the somewhat farcical WA election I am sure there must be something that can be done to put pressure on our politicians to direct funds to areas that will best serve our society. I'm sure it's not easy to do, but I'm sure it's not that difficult to direct funds towards improving the quality of life of everyone in our country.