Patrons & Guests

2019

Matthew Wood

Matthew Wood gave an emotional opening speech from the perspective of a young family man diagnosed with a brain tumour. He took us into his world where every aspect of his life had been turned upside down from that instant onwards.

He was full of praise for the medical care and emotional support he has received from staff at the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre and allied health professionals. As a local, and a family member connected with Ingleburn Rotary who are a Foundation Sponsor, he was already aware of the tremendous difference that 24Hour Fight Against Cancer and the Macarthur community makes to the lives of people dealing with the disease. He gave us a personal insight into how important it was to know that  your community is behind you as you fight this battle.

Matthew was inspiring in the way that he detailed his treatment and his reactions to it. He spoke of his absolute resolve to do whatever was necessary, physically and emotionally to come through this trial as the fittest, healthiest person he could be for his family, particularly his young child. He did this in a way that showed his courage, spirit and his belief in the power of positive thinking.  Everyone was encouraged- those present in the stands also dealing with cancer; those supporting loved ones and friends and those who may have lost loved ones.

Matthew’s Team Walking for Woodze, are his strongest supporters and continue to make a difference in Matthew’s life and in the lives of others.

2018

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill spoke as a long term patient and user of the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre services. He spoke emotionally about the depth of support he had received  over many years .and of the wonderful medical care and attention he had received from staff and allied professionals.

He highlighted the services and equipment that 24Hr Fight Against Cancer had supplied which had made his treatment and recovery that much easier. He thanked sponsors and the Macarthur community for the support they had shown to him and thousands of other local people dealing with cancer.

Christopher’s optimism and strength in the face of significant health challenges touched many in the crowd. He has been a long term supporter of 24Hr as part of the Aquafit team and is also well known on the track as one of the ‘three Gymingos’ (centre in photograph)

As part of the Opening Ceremony, Christopher was also invited to unveil the plaque erected in memory of Fred Borg, Founder.

2016

Professor Vincent Ho

Professor Vincent Ho, Gastroenterologist at Campbelltown Hospital spoke about state-of-the-art medical equipment generously provided by 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. He explained that with these new medical tools, less invasive investigations and treatments could be performed on patients, greatly reducing their stress, both physically and mentally.

 Professor Ho thanked the Macarthur community and sponsors for the provision of this very specialised equipment and advised that without the support of 24 Hr Fight Against Cancer these machines would not be available to public patients in Macarthur.

2015

Arthur Panoutsopoulos

He’s been supporting the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur with his family for years. But never has this popular member of the local community been so involved. This year Arthur Panoutsopoulis, proprietor of Charcoal Chicken, stood before a packed stadium and emotionally shared his own battle with pancreatic cancer.

2013

Samantha McGarrity

The 2013 event was opened by Samantha McGarrity of Rosemeadow, whose daughter Niamh, 4, died in January after a battle with brain cancer. As the captain of Team Green, she touched the crowd with her story of Niamh’s fight.

2012

Marie Ashton & NSW Premier, Hon Barry O’Farrell

Marie Ashton was invited to open the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur in 2012 in recognition of her extraordinary support to women with breast cancer in Macarthur while she was undergoing extensive treatment for the disease herself. Marie was a co-founder of the Youngies group, an informal coffee club where women of all ages with breast cancer could come together to share experiences, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Marie’s aim was to help others find the joy in life even during the difficult times and she certainly led by example. Marie’s beautiful nature, her dedication to her family and her untiring commitment to helping others was inspirational. Marie passed away in February 2013 but her legacy lives on in the memory of those who knew her and the ongoing coffee meetings, dinners, outings and mutual support that the Youngies still provide to each other.

2010

Grace Burton & Family

Nine-year-old Gracie’s involvement in the Fight Against Cancer came after she read out a lettershe had written when wheelchair athlete Paul Nunnari visited her Menangle Park school as part of his annual fund-raising promotion for the 24 Hour event. Her father was battling bowel cancer at the time and most of her school friends didn’t even know. Gracie’s inspirational message and effort of support for the Fight was an inspiration to the committee and many others.

2009

Amy, Charlotte & Allison Carr

Amy, Charlotte and Allison Carr opened the 5th Annual 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur in October 2009. Sadly, the three sisters lost both their dad (David) and mum (Heather) to cancer within a few short years. They spoke eloquently of the quality medical care and loving attention provided to their family by the staff at the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at Camden Hospital. These truly inspirational young ladies have been involved for a number of years in fundraising for the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur and expressed their commitment to continue, as a way of saying thank you for the support their family received in the past.

2007

Paul Nunnari

Paul Nunnari needs no introduction to the Macarthur community being a very well known Silver Medal Paralympian. Paul opened the 3rd Annual 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur in October 2007. Paul shared with the community that his father had recently passed away with cancer and spoke movingly of the strength and dignity that his father displayed during his illness. Paul is fulfilling his father’s wish that he support fundraising efforts which assist local people with cancer.

2006

John List

Many Macarthur residents know John List from his days as a high school principal and his community interests. John opened the 2nd Annual 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur in October 2006. John is a cancer survivor. He highlighted for all present the need for a fighting spirit and a positive attitude to help you through the challenges and emotional highs and lows that you experience as a cancer patient.