Category: Cooper Rice-Brading Foundation

A very sad goodbye to Ahuaiti Stockman

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This has been an unspeakably difficult week for the sarcoma community with the ripple effect reverberating nationally. So many friends and family hurting and living with the pain of the loss of a loved one.

We sadly share the news of yet another family in our community who this week mourn the loss of their beloved wife and mother.

Australians are known for their generosity when others are in need, and this was evident by the way in which they wrapped their arms around the stockman family in July. This is when it was discovered both mum Ahuaiti and son Jordan were living under very difficult conditions with advanced metastatic cancer.

Ahuaiti sadly passed away on Monday night, surrounded by her cherished family and more love than could be imagined.

Today, the family farewelled their precious Ahuaiti in a magnificent service, celebrating their Māori culture.

We send our love and strength to husband Darrin, Jordan, Jovan, Cullen, Corey, Kaelis, and Kye-Jana together with extended family.

Friends for life – Noosa Triathlon

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Today, a team of remarkable young men and women, completed the gruelling Noosa Triathlon in honour of their dear friend Jack Gobson raising well over a staggering $27,000 (and rising) for sarcoma patient support in Australia.

When the team first set out – their target was a very respectable $5000 or alternatively 200 donations which today stands at 230 averaging at $120 per donation.

Poor Man’s Everest was the brainchild of Jack Gibson, lachie Mactier, Hunter Hordern, andAngus Joyce, however the boys were joined today by Hugh Jameson, Emma Duncan, Will Gyles, Lucie Holden, Siobahn Shaw, Tom Molloy, and Dylan Boakes.

This month, this team have funded the following:

Travel expenses of a patient travelling to and from treatment ($6150)
Subsidising medicare gap payments – ($1950)
Fertility procedures and egg preservation – ( $8500)
A mobile phone and plan for 12 months for a young patient forced to spend weeks in hospital without connection to his friends and family- ( $2341)
Grocery and petrol cards for a sarcoma family struggling to make ends meet ($700)
Clinical supervision for the Fergus McCulla Psychological Support Programme ($1600)
Leaving a surplus of $5700 to be directed to patients and families in November.

How do we even come close to thanking this outstanding group of young friends competing in honour of a young man we all hold in the highest regard?

Anya’s Wish 19 for 19 Challenge

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Ethereal & spectacular are just two words that spring to mind after watching the sunrise this morning as it peeped through the fog in the Armidale highlands – the venue Kenwood Park owned by the Coffey family.

A picture perfect morning marked a wonderful start to the annual 19 for 19 Challenge, raising critical funding for osteosarcoma research.

The remarkable @liziegan, Will Winter and children Alex, Alice, Annie, & Hugh host this event in memory of their beloved daughter/sister, Anya who lost her life to osteosarcoma in September of 2020.

This challenging 19km event represents one km for every year of Anya’s brief life, and takes on some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable as seen in the attached photos.

Today the Armidale community wrapped their arms around this very special family resulting in an extraordinary turnout. Those making the effort were richly rewarded with breathtaking surrounds and a simply glorious day, in the knowledge that every step was a step closer to curing osteosarcoma.

While final counting is still underway, expectations for this event lie upwards of $220,000 which is utterly incredible! It will also provide much needed hope for the future for osteosarcoma patients .

Thank you to those very generous donors who backed Colin and I finishing – we are happy to report we are in one piece and sadly about to leave this magnificent region.

Funds from this event have been directed to osteosarcoma specific research, the work of Dr Emmy Fleuren at @childrenscancerinstitute who also oversees research for the CRBF sarcoma specific phosphoproteomic trial, funded by the generosity of @Wippa1 whilst on Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

We would like to thank Anya’s amazing family, the Armidale community for their warmth, Rydges Hotel Armidale for their hospitality then allowing us to clean off the mud ready for our flight home, Tour de Rocks for their outstanding organisational capability, and @tasarmidale whose students provided a lot of light entertainment along the way.

Should you wish to donate, go to link in bio.

Photos courtesy Simon Scott.

Jessica “Jess” Slee in her words

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I’m Jess

I am 36yrs old, a wife to Keiran and a mum to Declan 5yrs, and Maddi 4yrs.

Meet Jess Slee


I have sarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma. Diagnosed in 2014. I have under gone 3 massive surgeries, the last leaving me with half a sternum, a few less ribs, no abs and a whole lot of mesh so I don’t cave in! I’ve done radiotherapy, chemotherapy, votrient, and clinical trials; including T cells and now immunotherapy. And after all that the tumors are still here, stubborn buggers, just like me. My formal diagnosis is; incurable, inoperable local metastatic fibrosarcoma.

I love to live. Cancer has brought back my spontaneous zest for life. Pre kids’ hubby and I would travel, weekends away, attend advents and take day trips. Two small children stole that freedom for a few years but we are now back and not wasting anytime. As a family we love the outdoors, the beach, new places, camping with friends and trying new things.

Prior to 2020 I was a Practice Manager; I’ve always loved the health industry and miss having a professional career. My husband is a Geotechnical Engineer and works a FIFO roster, so I am home with the kids. Although they test my patience’s I am so grateful I get to spend my remaining time on earth watching them grow and challenge my will to live 😊

20/21 was a tough year of surgeries, treatments and disappointment. I have accepted my situation, as shit as it is, but I refuse to sit around. I am alive and I plan to be for a long time to come. I am incredibly passionate in creating awareness around this hideous disease. I’ve documented my story on Instagram; for me, for my hubby, for my kids and for anyone who might need it. Social media has been a wonderful support and outlet.

So that’s me, a very basic overview anyways. Please check out my Instagram page living.with.sarcoma. I am always up for a chat, for anyone who might need it, and if not my kids are absolute firecrackers and their content is sure to make you smile. They honestly don’t stop, like ever! Lastly; take the picture, say yes to the opportunity, and the washing can always wait. Time is a thief, steal back as much of it as you can.

Love Jess

An Aussie ‘Diamond’ dedicated to sarcoma

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Be sure to be watching at 5.30 EST today as one of the loveliest and most grounded young elite sportswomen @amyparmenterr makes her Australian Diamonds debut in New Zealand – pictured with teammate @kiera_austin .

Amy, and her exceptional sisters @daisyparmy and @laraparmenter are the three remarkable young women @thetiedyeproject_ originally incepted in memory of their precious mum Gilly, who lost her life to mesothelioma in 2013.

In more recent times the trio have joined with two more forces of nature, young sarcoma survivor @mollycroft_ and her mum @angenjohncroft. Together the quintet are taking sarcoma head on with the most recent iteration of The Tie Dye Project soon to be revealed.

We wish Amy a truly magical night as she debuts for Australia and we all extend our deepest gratitude for the work she continues to do to progress sarcoma in Australia (in her spare time)

Cancer and mental health on RUOK? Day

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The Australian Institute of Health Welfare (2021) indicated 1 in 5 Australians (5 million) will suffer mental health conditions, however, a staggering 54% of these people do not access treatment.

An estimated 163,000 people are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2022,  and the impact of cancer on mental health is often overlooked.

40% of cancer patients experience clinically significant mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, making the need for care evident. (Cancer Council Victoria)

If you are living with cancer and need support, there are a number of reputable organisations equipped to help.

You never walk this road alone.
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Lifeline 131114
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Canteen Connect online service – https://canteenconnect.org/

Those living with sarcoma nationally have access to clinically supervised free of charge support services through the Fergus McCulla Psychological Support Programme.

Call Keith Cox or Tania Rice-Brading  02 93575378 or go to the link in our bio to arrange a consultation.

Finally when you ask anyone the question RUOK? It’s important to really listen to the answer, encourage relevant action and check in regularly with that person to see how they’re doing.

A very sad goodbye to a special young man

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Vale Jarrod Anderson

19th August 1995 – 5 September 2022

Jarrod was your typical 26 year old living each day to the full .

Life changed forJarrod in the blink of an eye when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11 short months ago in October of 2021.

The months that followed his diagnosis saw him fight his cancer with every ounce of his strength, with his loving and devoted mum Michelle by his side throughout, together with his siblings Jodie, Stephen and Sarah who provided support to their precious brother.

Two weeks ago Jarrod celebrated his 27th birthday with his remarkable family, and many special memories were made.

Early Monday morning, we were deeply saddened to learn Jarrod’s courageous battle with this cancer had ended surrounded by the love of his family – his one constant throughout.

Jarrod was never left in any doubt as to how much he was, and is, loved.

Tonight we send our heartfelt condolences, our love and strength to Jarrod’s family.

“Photographs are proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.”

The Anderson family would like to thank the staff at the Mater Hospital and the Palliative Care Team in Waratah.

A day for our Father’s & significant others

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Father’s Day is a day when we turn our thoughts to our dads, and those who fill that role for many.  A day that can bring with it many mixed emotions.

It is also a time we pause to remember those who no longer have their child to walk beside them, and those who no longer have their dad to hold their hand. Each of you holds a special place in our hearts.

We wish each of you love, peace of mind, and a special day, no matter what shape that might take?

A day to reflect upon beautiful memories from the past, and a chance to make many more.

#missingyoucoops
#fathersday2022

When words are not enough to thank you…

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When a child/ adolescent receives a cancer diagnosis, their world changes in the blink of an eye.  Often forced to grow up quickly, contemplate their mortality, & endure great emotional angst together with unimaginable pain and suffering.  They watch as their friends continue to live the life they place on hold.

Random acts of kindness make the world go round for young people living with a cancer diagnosis.

We have the greatest privilege of working with the best ambassadors (and human beings) many of which were Coop’s friends.

This week was a truly special one & while these people work quietly behind the scenes, & without fanfare, there comes a time when words need to be found to say thank you.

Yesterday CRBF ambassador & a man with an enormous heart @wippa1 and the  wonderful @camillawithlove together with Camilla’s remarkable team, Alexia and Brooke joined forces to make the day of a little girl, valiantly fighting osteosarcoma for 4 years.  Her challenges & her courage in facing these challenges literally defy words.

Without cameras, media, & with more love than you could ever begin to imagine, a little girl’s dreams came true.

Wippa & Camilla joined forces in 2021 on the celebrity challenge team that raised $183,000 for paediatric sarcoma research at the @childrenscancerinstitute on @celebrityapprentice , through the Wipfli Family Sarcoma Research Fund.

In another part of the world new grandfather and all round good guy @paulroos1 was busy working on making another dream come true for a young @sydneyswans supporter.  Despite his willingness to do what he can for young sarcoma patients, getting the Swannies into the GF may just push the envelope.

Finally the amazing @billysmith___ @art_stanley_ , @thesilverfox68 , Dan & Lisa Miller, @amyparmenterr , Em Rothfield, Yael Bradbury, the team @accorstadium , @allianzstadium & @mcc_members ,  working so hard on very big projects to deliver joy to our beneficiaries over coming weeks.

Weeks like the one past, take a village.  How do we ever thank each of you?