There’s still time to sign up for one of Armidale’s most heartfelt community events, with registrations open until midnight Friday for this weekend’s 19 for 19 Challenge – a fundraiser that has already raised more than $1 million for osteosarcoma research in just five years.
The event honours the memory of Anya Zuber, a vivacious 19-year-old who passed away from osteosarcoma in 2020, and supports Anya’s Wish, a world-leading research project at the Children’s Cancer Institute. Led by Associate Professor Emmy Fleuren, the research aims to develop safer and more effective treatments for the aggressive bone cancer that most commonly affects teenagers and young adults.
Organiser Elizabeth Egan – Anya’s mum – said this year’s goal is their biggest yet.
“Our goal for this weekend is to raise $200,000,” she said. “It’s quite a steep one, but we have just hit over a million dollars in five years, which is fantastic.”
Around 500 participants are expected to take part in Sunday’s event, which has grown to become a cherished community tradition involving walkers, runners, families, and school groups.
“We have a lot of school involvement, which is terrific. Particularly The Armidale School, where my son attended. They certainly wrapped around him when he lost his sister, and they were very active in supporting the walk,” Egan said.
“The owners of Kenwood Park, which was the first property we started on, just love seeing so many kids on their property,” Egan said.
“Now we’re at three properties that mean we’re walking from Blue Hole to Dangars Falls campsite.”
Participants can choose between a 19 kilometre challenge or a 7.5 kilometre family walk.
“Lots of younger families love to do the family walk as well, but you still get a great taste of it, and it means you finish with everyone as well,” Egan said.
With buses departing from the Armidale Visitor Information Centre between 5.45am and 6.45am on Sunday morning, registration is essential as it is a no-vehicle event.
“Everyone has to register before the walk,” Egan said. “Registration means you get a t-shirt, a bucket hat, and there’s breakfast and lunch and water along the way.”
The walk is more than a community event, but a significant fundraiser that has already helped change the world and provide significant advancements in care for osteosarcoma.
“We’re really blown away that it is such a community event, and that this community support has led to world-first breakthroughs in this awful disease that affects young people,” she said.
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