Rotto team in search of cancer cure
The Crusade for Cancer team in tomorrow's Rottnest swim is happy to be one-eyed.
The four swimmers are set firmly on helping children like eight-year-old Conor Colgan, who has an incurable brain tumour and a future dependent on doctors finding new treatments.
The charity, set up with the help of Conor's father Nathan, has its main fundraising in June, when primary schools across the country host pirate dress-up days to raise awareness and money for the Telethon Adventurers' search for a cure for childhood brain cancer.
Conor was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a tumour found only in children, just over two years ago and two bouts of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy had limited success.
Mr Colgan said doctors first thought it was a low-grade tumour but it was found to be grade 3.
"When they first removed the tumour it was looking good, but it came back and Conor had surgery again but they didn't remove everything," he said. "Conor now has palsy down one side of his face and has lost some fine motor skills."
Unlike big advances for many cancers, some drugs from the 1970s are still used for childhood brain tumours.
Adults can join pirate day by wearing a white eye patch in return for a donation. Details at piratedayfriday.com or crusadeforcancer.com.
