A brightly coloured bus has been making its way down the east coast of Australia to raise awareness of the Kids Cancer Project.
Founder Col Reynolds has named the 10,000km journey from his hometown of Townsville to Sydney “The Science Project”.
He has made it is his “personal mission” to find a cure for childhood cancer.
Cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia, and so Reynolds’ aim is to spread the word that “kids with cancer need science”.
“The treatments available are so harsh, that those who do survive, are left with chronic conditions that will affect them for the rest of their lives,” he told KarryOn.
“I discovered many years ago that the solution is science. Research will uncover kinder treatments, and eventually a cure, for all childhood cancers.”
The project is holding an event for local media and community at every stop along its 10,000km journey. The aim is to get as many people as possible to sign its pledge.
One of the stops on their 10,000km journey was Queensland’s Tangalooma Island Resort. There, the little superheroes took over the resort’s whale watching cruise.
Brianna Preobrajensky with Col Reynolds
The partnership between Tangalooma and The Kids’ Cancer Project is the result of resort manager Brianna Preobrajensky’s personal experience with cancer – her son Oscar has battled the disease.
As a result, she was inspired to initiate the partnership, which for the second year running sees $5 donated to The Kids’ Cancer Project for every whale sighted from the Tangalooma Jet.
William Leonard, Oden Wilson, Sophie Leonard and Alisha Weir do some serious whale-watching
“Tangalooma Island Resort has been a proud supporter of The Kids’ Cancer Project for many years now,” she explained.
“Given our first-hand experience with the organisation and the incredible work they do, this is one partnership we endeavour to maintain for years to come.”
The journey kicked off on August 1 with the goal of getting 10,000 people to sign the pledge. It already has 8,326 signatures, Reynolds revealed. It has also raised two-thirds of its $300,000 fund-raising goal.
“As we make stops along our route down the east coast, supporters such at Tangalooma are helping us make huge in-roads,” he said.
To pledge your support or to learn more about The Kids’ Cancer Project visit: thescienceproject.org.au.
