Fundraiser Spotlight: Run for Joey

12 February 2021

Damien’s not your average 27 year old. He has an incredible passion to not only make a difference but inspire others to make a difference.

After losing his father, Joseph, to a rare form of cancer in 2017, Damien set up Run for Joey to raise funds for vital cancer research.

In 2020, Run for Joey was our highest community fundraiser raising a phenomenal $68,000.

What is even more impressive than the fundraising success is how he raised the funds.

Last February, Damien ran 290km over six days from Craigieburn to Yarrawonga. With amazing community support, he pushed his body beyond its limits to inspire others that anything is possible.

With a desire to do even more in 2020, he pounded the pavement again during Melbourne’s tough lockdown, running 131km non-stop for 24 hours.

While social gathering restrictions meant a much smaller crowd cheering and encouraging him on, Damien still had his fantastic support crew behind him.

Losing Dad made me realise that there is much more to life than just me…The premise of this run, was to build a community based on love and care.

It was also to show my gratitude towards the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre who spent five years caring for my father.

You can read more about Damien’s experience on his 24-hour run here.

The new year brings new challenges for Damien and his community on how they can continue to make a difference.

Every day we are faced with situations and circumstances that are out of our comfort zone. It is important to embrace them, find comfort in them and seek them out at any opportunity possible.

We are incredibly lucky at Peter Mac to have passionate fundraisers like Damien and we look forward to being a part of the incredible endeavour he plans next!